Fire Extinguishment by Electro-Magnetic Fields

The exploratory development of a fire suppression system based on the application of electro-magnetic (EM) fields is proposed. Using EM fields can replace the deployment of chemicals that pose a danger to the environment. Chemicals have to be brought to the fire, which most likely involves ground transportation. Ground transportation necessarily requires time. It is anticipated that in case of an electro-magnetic fire suppression concept response to a fire call could be made by helicopter, since only energy, in this case most likely diesel fuel, has to be transported. In the proposed concept an electrostatic field is applied to the fire to precondition the flame for acceptance of a strong electro-magnetic pulse. This pulse is deployed by a loop-type antenna and will introduce an eddy current in the flame proper. The magnetic field of this eddy current is opposite to the field that is emitted by the loop antenna and will therefore be repelled by it. The effect is that the flame will be blown out. For the Phase I effort a device will be developed capable of extinguishing a small area (30 cm squared) pool fire.