Method and apparatus for extinguishing fires in storage vessels containing flammable or combustible liquids

A portable discharging apparatus adapted for fighting fires in a storage vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a receptacle duct adapted to receive a supply of a fire-fighting agent;
• an air input port attached to the receptacle duct, the air input port adapted to aerate the fire-fighting agent;
• a first passage duct attached to a receptacle duct, the passage duct adapted to receive a second supply of a fire-fighting agent;
• a support rod receptacle attached to the receptacle duct;
• a vessel mounting apparatus adapted to removably attach the portable discharging apparatus to a storage vessel;
• and
• a discharge duct adapted to discharge a fire-fighting agent received from the receptacle duct.

A portable installation apparatus adapted to removably mount a portable discharging apparatus on a storage vessel, the portable installation apparatus comprising:

• a longitudinally extendable telescopic mast having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a support rod affixed at the distal end of the telescopic mast, wherein the support rod is adapted to be removably connected to a support rod receptacle of the portable discharging apparatus;
• and
• a plurality of locking devices adapted to maintain a fixed orientation of the portable discharging apparatus with respect to the storage vessel, wherein the proximal end of the telescopic mast is removeably couplable to a top perimeter of the storage vessel.

A method for applying fire-fighting agents onto a storage vessel, the method comprising:

• providing a portable discharging apparatus comprising a receptacle duct, an air input port attached to the receptacle duct, a first passage duct attached to a receptacle duct, a support rod receptacle attached to the receptacle duct, a vessel mounting apparatus, and a discharge duct;
• providing a portable installation apparatus comprising a longitudinally extendable telescopic mast having a proximal end and a distal end, a support rod affixed at the distal end of the telescopic mast, and a plurality of locking devices adapted to maintain a fixed orientation of the portable discharging apparatus,
• attaching the support rod receptacle of the portable discharging apparatus to the support rod of the telescopic mast;
• extending the telescopic mast of the portable installation apparatus to a length corresponding to a height of the storage vessel;
• pivoting the telescopic mast about its proximal end so that the portable discharging apparatus is adjacent to an upper edge of the storage vessel;
• attaching the vessel mounting apparatus to the upper edge of the storage vessel;
• and
• providing a supply of fire-fighting agent to the portable discharging apparatus so that the fire-fighting agent is discharged from the discharge duct.

A fire-fighting system for fighting fires in a storage vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a portable discharging apparatus that can be temporarily attached to an upper ridge on the storage vessel, the portable discharging apparatus comprising:
• a cylindrical flow collimator adapted to receive a first supply of a fire-fighting agent at a first end and provide a substantially uniform flow of the fire-fighting agent at a second end;
• a receptacle duct having a first end surrounding the second end of the flow collimator, wherein the gap between the first end of the receptacle duct and the second end of the flow collimator defines an air input port, wherein the air input port is adapted to provide air for mixing with the fire-fighting agent;
• at least one passage duct attached to the receptacle duct wherein the passage duct is adapted to receive a second supply of fire-fighting agent;
• a jet stream enhancer plate connected to the second end of the flow collimator, the jet stream enhancer plate adapted to increase the velocity of the fire-fighting agent flow and direct the ejected stream of the fire-fighting agent to collide with air provided by the air input port;
• a support rod receptacle attached to the exterior of the receptacle duct;
• a first rigid device connected to the receptacle duct and extending in a radial direction from the receptacle duct wherein the first rigid device is adapted to maintain a spacing between the cylindrical receptacle duct and the storage vessel;
• a discharge duct connected to the receptacle duct wherein the discharge duct is adapted to receive a supply of fire-fighting agent and air from the receptacle duct and discharge the mixture in a specific direction onto the surface of the storage vessel;
• and
• at least on passage duct attached to the discharge duct wherein the passage duct is adapted to receive at least one other supply of a fire-fighting agent and discharge the fire-fighting agent in a specific direction onto the storage vessel;
• a second rigid device connected to the discharge duct and extending in a radial direction from the discharge duct wherein the second rigid device is adapted to attach to the upper ridge on the storage vessel;
• and a mixing apparatus for mixing a fire-fighting agent with a conveying media.
• b) a portable installation apparatus adapted to mount a portable discharging apparatus to an upper edge of the storage vessel, the portable installation apparatus comprising:
• a longitudinally extendable telescopic mast having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the length of the telescopic mast may be controlled by providing or removing a fluid from within the telescopic mast;
• a support rod affixed at the distal end of the central mast, wherein the support rod may be removably coupled to the support rod receptacle of the portable discharging apparatus;
• a longitudinally extendable base tube wherein the proximal end of the telescopic mast is fixed to a central portion of the base tube;
• a pair of longitudinally extendible lateral support struts wherein a first end of each lateral support strut is connected to a collar that is coupled to the telescopic mast and wherein a second end of each lateral support strut is connected to respective ends of the base tube;
• at least one tether line and a at least one stabilizing rod connected to the telescopic mast for stabilizing the portable discharging apparatus during the mounting and dismounting process;
• wherein the telescopic mast, the base tube and the lateral support struts can be assembled in a substantially triangular shape and wherein the height of the portable installation apparatus can be adjusted to correspond to the height of the storage vessel;
• c) a transportation apparatus adapted for carrying at least one portable discharging apparatus and at least one portable installation apparatus wherein the transportation apparatus is further adapted to erect the portable installation apparatus using an erecting device, wherein the erecting device comprises a rotary attachment that is adapted to mate with the proximal end of the telescopic mast and lock in an upright position.