APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING CRYOGENIC FLUID TO EXTINGUISH FIRES

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying cryogenic fluid in liquid and/or gaseous phase. The apparatus comprises at least a high capacity thermally insulated tank for storing cryogenic fluid in liquid phase at high pressure and from which cryogenic fluid in liquid phase is supplied, with a liquid cryogenic fluid supplying capacity of about 50 m3/h, to a pumping unit. The pumping unit comprises at least three pumps each having each a flow rate of about 175 m3/h with a maximum differential pressure of 1013 kPa. The liquid cryogenic fluid is vaporized in a vaporization and mixture regulation unit with a vaporization capacity of about 360,000 m3/h for liquid cryogenic fluid. The vaporization and mixture regulation unit includes at least a heat exchanger, a wind tunnel, a ventilization assembly, and an air inlet window through which the liquid cryogenic fluid is vaporized and the gaseous phase can be mixed with the liquid phases through suitably arranged valves and ejectors. The cryogenic fluid in the gaseous phase or the mixture of cryogenic fluid in the gaseous and liquid phases enters an exhaust duct where temperature can vary from -100.degree.C to +20.degree.C and the pressure can vary from 588 to 1,986 kPa. The apparatus also includes a power station for powering the plant, and a control and command unit which uses a microprocessor to ensure the automatic and sequential operation of the apparatus. The present invention is suitable for extinguishing fires in oil wells.