Liquid nitrogen enabler

Abstract

A method and apparatus for using liquid nitrogen to render fires and explosives inert, thus extinguishing and controlling the fire or explosive. The present invention utilizes a trough comprising a plurality of apertures to rain liquid nitrogen down on an area underneath the trough so as to evaporate the liquid nitrogen, super cool the surrounding area, and remove oxygen so as to render the area inert.

1 . A method of using liquid nitrogen to control a fire comprising the steps of: 
 a. securing liquid nitrogen in a carrier;    b. dispensing the liquid nitrogen to a trough, wherein the trough comprises a plurality of apertures; and    c. applying liquid nitrogen to the fire as droplets through the plurality of apertures of the trough so as to substantially flood the space with inert gas.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the trough is secured to a surface through the use of a plurality of spikes protruding from a bottom surface of the trough.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the trough encircles the area affected by the fire.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of ensuring that the liquid nitrogen droplets are dispensed from a distance such that the droplets have substantially evaporated prior to reaching the surface.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of encircling the fire with liquid nitrogen just above a draft air intake level of the fire.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a T-shaped pipe is used to dispense the liquid nitrogen from the carrier in order to divert the liquid nitrogen in at least two different directions at the same time.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the trough is leveled such that an end where the liquid nitrogen is poured is substantially higher than other parts of the trough in order to facilitate flow of the liquid nitrogen through the entire trough.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using a wind pole comprising a plurality of fabric strips to determine a wind input draft height of the fire, wherein the optimum height for the trough is determined by a break point determined by using the wind pole.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a trough, is employed through one of a window and a wall of a large building in order to deliver liquid nitrogen to the trough so the falling liquid nitrogen droplets flood the space inside the building with inert nitrogen gas.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the trough is assembled at a location ahead of the directional travel of a wild land fire such that upon flooding of the trough, the leading edge of the wild land fire is saturated with the liquid nitrogen.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the trough further comprises a solid trough section attached to an apertured trough section, wherein the solid trough section extends from a location exterior to the area affected by the fire and the apertured trough section extends from an edge of the solid trough section to an area inside the area affected by the fire.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the trough can be raised to the height of a tall structure from an area outside of the area affected by the fire and inserted into an open area of a tall structure.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a helicopter is used to raise the trough to a height such that it may be inserted through an opening in a tall structure.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the liquid nitrogen is applied directly to a pan, wherein the pan comprises a plurality of apertures such that the liquid nitrogen rains down over the fire flooding it with inert gas.  
     
     
         15 . A method of removing an explosion ordnance (mine) comprising the steps of: 
 a. securing a trough comprising a plurality of apertures encircling the mine;    b. hydraulically inflating with oil or water, leg segments to slide under the mine;    c. dispensing liquid nitrogen to the trough such that the liquid nitrogen drips through the apertures of the trough to the space surrounding the mine, wherein the application of liquid nitrogen to the mine renders the mine inert and incapable of detonation and solidifies the fluid in the leg segments; and    d. transporting the inert mine and trough to a detonation chamber so that the mine may be safely detonated in a controlled manner.    
     
     
         16 . A method for safely removing buried explosives comprising the steps of: 
 a. supplying a dewar having an outlet formed inside a drill bit for carrying liquid nitrogen;    b. probing an area near the explosive with the drill bit;    c. flooding the explosive and surrounding area with liquid nitrogen so as to render the explosive inert;    d. removing the surrounding soil and explosive; and    e. transporting the explosive to a location for safe detonation.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of flooding the surrounding area with liquid nitrogen solidifies the contents of a structure attached to the explosive.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein a water cutter is used to cut any strapping holding the explosive to a structure without sparking so that the explosive may be safely removed without damaging the structure.