Cross reference to related applications

Abstract

The present invention describes halogenated alkane fire extinguishing compositions consisting essentially of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro propane, optionally pentafluoro ethane, and optionally one or more fire extinguishing fluoro- or chlorfluoroalkanes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fire extinguishing composition comprising a fire extinguishing effective amount of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro propane and optionally one or more fire extinguishing fluoro- or chlorofluoroalkanes.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more fire extinguishing fluoro- or chlorofluoroalkanes are present in the composition and are selected from the group consisting of HC(Cl)F 2  (HCFC-22), HCF 3  (HFC-23), F 3 C—(H)CCl 2  (HCFC-123), F 2 C(Cl)—(H)C(F)Cl (HCFC-123a), Cl 2 C(F)—(H)CF 2  (HCFC-123b), F 3 C—(H)C(F)Cl (R124), F 2 C(Cl)—(H)CF 2  (R124a), F 2 C(H)—(H)CF 2  (R134), F 3 C—(F)CH 2  (R134a), H(F)C(Cl)—(H)C(F)Cl (HCFC 132), F 3 C—(H)C(F)—CF 3  (HFC-227ea), F 2 C(H)—C(F 2 )—CF 3  (HFC-227ca), F 3 C—C(H 2 )—CF 3 ,(HFC-236fa), F 2 C(H)—(H)C(F)—CF 3  (HFC-236ea), H 2 C(F)—(CF 2 )—CF 3  (HFC-236cb), F 2 C(H)—(H)C(F)—(H)CF 2  (HFC-245ea), H 2 C(F)—(H)C(F)—CF 3  (HFC-245eb), H 3 C—C(F 2 )—CF 3  (HFC-245cb), ICF 3 .  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said one or more fire extinguishing fluoro- or chlorofluoroalkanes comprises pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         4 . A fire extinguishing composition comprising a fire extinguishing effective amount of 1,1,1,3,-pentafluoropropane and up to about 55 wt. % pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein said pentafluoroethane is present in an amount up to about 36 wt. % of the composition.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein said 1,1,1,3,3 pentafluoro propane and said pentafluoroethane are present in amounts effective to provide said composition with a boiling point range encompassing −4° C.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein said 1,1,1,3,3 pentafluoro propane is present in the composition in an amount of at least about 74 wt % of said composition.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein said pentafluoroethane is present in the composition in an amount of from about 20 wt. % to about 36 wt. % of said composition.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein said pentafluoroethane is present in the composition in an amount of from about 20 wt. % to about 99 wt. % of said composition.  
     
     
         10 . A fire extinguishing fog comprising a composition consisting essentially of pentafluoroethane and from about 1 wt % to about 80 wt. % 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane.  
     
     
         11 . The fire extinguishing fog of  claim 10  further comprising an effective amount of an HF scavenging agent.  
     
     
         12 . The fire extinguishing fog of  claim 11  wherein said HF scavenging agent is selected from the group consisting of beta-carotene, citral, citronellol, citronnellal, para-cymeme, camphor, lanosterol, limonene, lutein, lycopene, menthadiene, menthol, myrcene, ocimene, oleanolic, dipentene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, phytol, sabinene, saponin, squalene, sylvestrene, terpinene, alpha-terpineol, terpinolene, turpentine, vitamin A, zingiberene, oleic acid, eleostearic acid, palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, lincanic acid, petroselenic acid, abietic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic acid, vaccenic acid.  
     
     
         13 . A fire extinguishing stream comprising a composition consisting essentially of pentafluoroethane and from about 45 wt. % to about 94 wt. % 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane.  
     
     
         14 . The fire extinguishing stream of  claim 13  wherein said 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane is present in an amount of from about 64 wt % to about 94 wt. % of said composition.  
     
     
         15 . The fire extinguishing stream of  claim 13  wherein said composition further comprises an effective amount of an HF scavenger.  
     
     
         16 . The fire extinguishing stream of  claim 14  wherein said composition further comprises an effective amount of an HF scavenger.  
     
     
         17 . The fire extinguishing agent of  claim 15  wherein said HF scavenger is selected from the group consisting of beta-carotene, citral, citronellol, citronnellal, para-cymeme, camphor, lanosterol, limonene, lutein, lycopene, menthadiene, menthol, myrcene, ocimene, oleanolic, dipentene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, phytol, sabinene, saponin, squalene, sylvestrene, terpinene, alpha-terpineol, terpinolene, turpentine, vitamin A, zingiberene, oleic acid, eleostearic acid, palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, lincanic acid, petroselenic acid, abietic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic acid, vaccenic acid.  
     
     
         18 . A method of extinguishing a fire comprising the steps of: 
 (a) streaming a fire extinguishing composition comprising the composition of  claim 13  at a fire; and    (b) maintaining said stream for a time sufficient to substantially diminish the fire, and optionally until said fire is extinguished.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said fire extinguishing composition comprises 1,1,1,3,3 pentafluoro propane and pentafluoroethane, said composition having a boiling point range encompassing −4° C.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said fire extinguishing composition comprises from about 20 wt. % and to about 36 wt. % of said pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         21 . A method of extinguishing a fire comprising the steps of: 
 (a) dispersing the composition of  claim 9  as a fog;    (b) directing said fog into an area such that it contacts the fire; and    (c) continuing said directing step for a time sufficient to substantially diminish the fire, and optionally until said fire is extinguished.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said fire extinguishing composition comprises from about 20 wt. % to about 36 wt. % of said pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         23 . A method of extinguishing a fire comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting the fire extinguishing composition of  claim 1  at a fire; and    (b) maintaining said contact for a time sufficient to substantially diminish the fire, and optionally until said fire is extinguished.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said fire extinguishing composition has a boiling point range encompassing −4° C.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said fire extinguishing composition comprises from about 6 wt. % to about 26 wt. % of said pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         26 . A method of extinguishing a fire a fire comprising the steps of: 
 (a) dispersing the composition of  claim 3  as a fog;    (b) directing said fog into an area such that substantially engulfs the fire; and    (c) continuing the steps of dispersing and directing for a time sufficient to substantially diminish the fire, and optionally until said fire is extinguished.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein said fire extinguishing composition comprises from about 20 wt. % to about 99 wt. % pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         28 . The stream of  claim 14  wherein said composition comprises from about 20 wt. % to about 36 wt. % pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         29 . The stream of  claim 14  wherein said composition comprises from about 20 wt % to about 23 wt. % pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         30 . The stream of  claim 14  wherein said composition consists essentially of 77 wt. % 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoroethane and 23 wt % pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         31 . The fog of  claim 10  wherein said composition comprises from about 20 wt. % to about 36 wt. % pentafluoroethane.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said composition is contacted to said fire in the form of a stream.