WO2017015585A1 - Flame retardant and fire extinguishing product - Google Patents

Abstract

A novel flame retardant and fire extinguishing product for preventing and fighting fires is disclosed herein. The product is thixotropic and non-toxic, and comprises water, one or more flame retardants, one or more stabilizers, and one or more preservatives. In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more thickeners, one or more binders, one or more fining agents, one or more firming agents, one or more water retention agents, one or more water-soluble fluoropolymers or other water-soluble polymers with similar properties, one or more detergents, and/or one or more surfactants. The product may be used as a flame retardant to prevent fires and in active firefighting. The product may be biodegradable in a natural environment, may be readily cleaned off equipment and materials using water, and may also provide other features which render it safe for the environment as compared to other commonly used products in fire prevention and firefighting.

Description

FLAME RETARDANT AND FIRE EXTINGUISHING PRODUCT

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 14/980,791, filed December 28, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non- Provisional Patent Appl. No. 14/806,606, filed July 22, 2015; and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 14/806,602, filed July 22, 2016; and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/195,764, filed July 22, 2015. The disclosure of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure describes a novel flame retardant and fire extinguishing product for preventing and fighting fires.

Description of the Related Art

There are two general methods of reducing the potential damage from the burning of combustible materials, whether liquid or solid— preventive treatment and active firefighting.

Preventive treatment with a flame retardant product may reduce the flammability of a material. Once a material begins to burn, the fire may be extinguished with an appropriate mix of flame retardants and fire extinguishing agents in liquid, solid, or gaseous form.

The use of flame retardants not only reduces the risk of a fire starting but also hinders its propagation. This increases the available time to escape from the damage and thus protects humans, property, and the environment.

An ideal flame retardant or fire extinguishing agent will have the following properties: (1) it will significantly reduce the flammability of the materials to which it is applied; (2) it will significantly reduce the risk of re-ignition after a material to which it is applied is exposed to fire conditions; (3) it will be non-toxic to humans, animals, and plants; (4) it will be biodegradable or at least not harmful to the environment; (5) it will not cause the release of toxic or corrosive substances under extreme fire conditions; (6) it will not migrate from the materials to which it is applied via evaporation or other forms of release; (7) it will not negatively affect the recyclability of materials to which it is applied; and (8) its production, processing, application, and disposal or recycling will not cause significant environmental harms.

Numerous flame retarding and fire extinguishing agents are available for reducing the risk of fire and active firefighting. However, each of the available agents for retarding and fighting fires has shortcomings. Most flame retardants are designed for indoor use only. Many ailable flame retardants have a limited effective lifetime and require repetition of the impregnation process at regular intervals to successfully protect materials from fire. And many flame retardants are toxic or create significant risks of environmental harm.

Numerous efforts have been made to overcome one or more of these shortcomings. These efforts have resulted in flame retardant products such as Dricon, Non-Com, HolzProf, Apyrum, Timonox, Magma Firestop, Firestop, and Firetard 120. Other efforts include the development of a water-based flame retardant for clothing derived from non-toxic ingredients such as clays and chitosan. However, these products are all limited by the types of materials to which they can be applied and/or the conditions under which materials must be treated. Further, all of the foregoing products are flame retardants and are not useful as fire extinguishing agents.

Currently available fire extinguishing agents also present several shortcomings, including secondary damage caused by use of the fire extinguishing agent, re-ignition risks, short-term or long-term toxicity and environmental damage, and lack of general utility based on limitations of use to specific types of fires. Water is the most common fire extinguishing agent. Water itself is safe for the environment, but when used in firefighting, water can become contaminated with toxic substances and subsequently transfer them to ground water or other environmentally-sensitive locations. Water also has limitations and shortcomings in its use as a fire extinguishing agent. Water is usually required in large amounts to effectively fight large fires. It rapidly evaporates, and thus only a small portion of the total amount of water sprayed on a fire is utilized to actually extinguish the fire. In addition, when using water to extinguish fire, areas where fire has been extinguished are easily re-ignited. Moreover, the amount of water used to fight a fire often causes secondary water damage, leading to significant restoration costs related to this damage. When fighting fires in enclosed spaces, the risk of vapor explosion due to the presence of high temperature steam is significant. Use of water in firefighting may result in contamination of large amounts of water with pollutants, which will then be spread into the environment. Water also cannot be used to fight fires in many chemical products such as oil, gasoline, ethanol, and many other common flammable chemicals, mixtures, and solutions.

Carbon dioxide is an effective fire extinguishing agent for certain types of fires. It does not leave any residue and is relatively inert. However, toxic concentrations of carbon dioxide are generally required to fight large fires. In addition, carbon dioxide dissipates rapidly and thus it is not an effective agent for smoldering fires or preventing re-ignition. It can also damage certain electronics.

Various foams and powders also are used to fight fires. However, these foams and powders are often toxic, generate toxic byproducts, or are otherwise harmful to the environment. Non-toxic alternatives generally are restricted in their uses, have a limited lifespan, or present other shortcomings. The use of foams and powders often requires expensive clean-up operations after completing the firefighting. The foam or powder often must be applied so as to achieve full coverage of the ignited materials to effectively extinguish the fire. Many foams and powders are limited to use for fighting only specific types of fires. Moreover, because fire extinguishing foams and powders are generally non- adhesive to many materials, the foam or powder may be blown off the previously covered material by wind, leading to re-ignition.

Preventing re-ignition of extinguished surfaces will reduce the response times when a fire occurs, reduce risks to firefighters, increase opportunities to save lives endangered by fire, and increase opportunities to protect property at risk for damage or destruction by fire. Thus there remains a need for flame retarding and fire extinguishing agents that bind to a wide variety of surfaces so that extinguished surfaces cannot re-ignite during firefighting. Moreover, to reduce the environmental impact of firefighting, there also remains a need for environmentally safe, effective flame retarding and fire extinguishing products which can be used to prevent and fight a variety of types of fires in solid and liquid materials. SUMMARY

A novel flame retardant and fire extinguishing product for preventing and fighting fires in solid and liquid materials is disclosed herein. The product is thixotropic and nontoxic, and comprises water, one or more flame retardant powders, one or more stabilizers, and one or more preservatives. In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more thickeners, one or more binders, one or more fining agents, one or more firming agents, one or more water retention agents, one or more water-soluble fluoropolymers or other water- soluble polymers with similar properties, one or more detergents, and/or one or more surfactants. The product may be used as a flame retardant to prevent fires and may also be used in active firefighting. The product may be used to treat liquid or solid materials, and may be used to fight fires in liquids or solid materials, or a combination of the two. The product may be biodegradable in a natural environment, may be readily cleaned off equipment and materials to which it has been applied using water, and may also provide other features which render it safe for the environment as compared to other commonly used products in fire prevention and firefighting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure describes a novel thixotropic flame retardant and fire extinguishing product for preventing and fighting fires. The product comprises water, one or more flame retardant powders, one or more stabilizers, and one or more preservatives. In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more thickeners, one or more binders, one or more fining agents, one or more firming agents, one or more water retention agents, one or more water-soluble fiuoropolymers or other water-soluble polymers with similar properties, one or more detergents.

Non-toxic as used herein means that the environmental release of known toxic substances from the use of a product is below the safe limits established by the appropriate regulatory agency that are in effect as of the filing date of the present patent application.

In some embodiments, the product may be used to prevent fires in solid materials. The product may be applied to a material to render the material fire-resistant. In preferred embodiments, the product may be applied to a material by painting the surface of the material with the product to render the material fire-resistant. In other preferred embodiments, the product may be applied to a material by spraying the surface of the material with the product to render the material fire-resistant. The product may adhere to most solid materials. The solid material may be wood, paper, textile, cellulose board, concrete, plastic, glass, metal, or another material for which fire resistance is desirable. In some embodiments, a material treated with the product may be highly fire resistant, meaning the material will be very difficult ignite when it is exposed to an ignition source. In preferred embodiments, a material treated with the product may be effectively fireproof, meaning the material will not ignite when it is exposed to an ignition source even at the highest temperatures found in most typical fires. In preferred embodiments, the product may be used in indoor and outdoor applications.

In other embodiments, the product may be used to prevent fires in liquid materials. The product may be applied to a liquid to render the liquid fire-resistant. The product may adhere to a variety of liquids, including but not limited to hydrocarbons such as oil, gasoline, kerosene, and diesel and polar liquids such as jet fuel, ethanol, E85, E100, alcohol, oil blends, gasoline blends, kerosene blends and frying oils. Application of the product to a liquid will contaminate the surface layer of the liquid to which it is applied to the depth of penetration of the product into the liquid, as described hereinafter.

In some embodiments, the product may be used to protect liquids near an active fire to prevent the fire from spreading to those liquids.

In other embodiments, the product may be used in active firefighting. The product may be used to extinguish active fires by applying it to a material affected by fire. The product may be sprayed from a nozzle as an aqueous solution or suspension. When the product is exposed to oxygen, it may form a gel. The rate of gelation will be sufficiently rapid that the product will form a gel upon contacting an ignited material but will not be so rapid that it will inhibit spraying of the product in liquid form. Upon gelling, the product may prevent ignition or re-ignition of the solid material. The product may adhere to most solid materials. The solid material may be wood, paper, textile, cellulose board, concrete, plastic, glass, metal, or another material. The adhered product may form a layer of protection against ignition or re-ignition of the material and thus may be effective in limiting the spread of a fire to adjoining areas. The product may also bind to the surface of a variety of liquid materials, including but not limited to hydrocarbons such as oil, gasoline, kerosene, and diesel and polar liquids such as jet fuel, ethanol, E85,E100, oil blends, gasoline bleds, kerosene blends, paraffin and frying oils.

In some embodiments, the product will be sprayed on an active fire using a nozzle. In preferred embodiments, the distance from the nozzle to the burning material may be 0.3 meters to 2 meters depending on the size of the fire, preferably 1 to 2 meters, still more preferably 1.5 to 2 meters. In other embodiments, the distance from the nozzle to the burning material may be greater than 0.3 meters, preferably greater than 1 meter, still more preferably greater than 5 meters. In some embodiments, the distance from the nozzle to the burning material will be greater than the typical distance between a nozzle used to apply foam onto a fire and the buming material. This will allow firefighters to maintain a greater distance from buming material than the distance that would be possible when foam is used to fight a fire. The increased distance will increase safety for the firefighters. It will also allow firefighting to extend further into the affected area.

In some embodiments, the product may penetrate into a material to which it is applied. In preferred embodiments, when applied to a liquid, the product penetrates into the liquid to a depth of up to 5 centimeters, preferably up to 3 centimeters, more preferably up to 1 centimeter still more preferably up to 0.5 centimeters. In other embodiments, when applied to the ground, the product may penetrate to a depth of 0.2 meter to 1 meter. In other embodiments it may penetrate to a depth of greater than 0.2 meters, preferably greater than 0.5 meters, still more preferably greater than 0.6 meters. The depth of penetration depends on the type of soil, the types of tree present, the ground cover, and the presence of anthills, bird nests, or other animal dwellings. In preferred embodiments, the product penetrates deeper into the ground than water. In preferred embodiments, the product may be stable under ordinary conditions for long-term storage. In preferred embodiments, the product may be mold and fungus resistant.

In preferred embodiments, the product may provide cooling effects to reduce the temperature of materials affected by fire. In some embodiments, cooling effects may be provided by increased heat absorption capacity of materials treated with the product. In some embodiments, cooling effects may be provided by absorption or trapping of hot flammable gases. In some embodiments, cooling effects may be provided by preventing flammable gases from contacting oxygen. In some embodiments, cooling effects may be provided by rapidly extinguishing an active fire.

In some embodiments, the product may be used to extinguish fires in buildings and other fixed structures, bridges, vehicles, boats, ships, trains, planes, or other solid objects or surfaces. For example, the product may be used to extinguish a gasoline fire where the gasoline spills onto a roadway or other solid surface. In other embodiments, the product may be used to fight forest fires or other wildfires. In some embodiments, the product may be used to create fire breaks when fighting forest fires by utilizing its flame retardant properties such that excavation or tree removal is not required. In some embodiments, the product may be used to extinguish fires in liquids, including but not limited to oil, gasoline, kerosene, diesel or other hydrocarbon fires in or around airports, oil refineries, or gas stations, at sea, or anywhere liquid storage tanks are present.

In some embodiments, the product may be used in handheld firefighting equipment such as handheld fire extinguishers or aerosol sprayers. In other embodiments, the product may be used in installed firefighting equipment such as sprinkler systems. In other embodiments, the product may be used in ground-based firefighting equipment such as that used on fire trucks. In other embodiments, the product may be used in aerial firefighting equipment such as that used by firefighting helicopters and aircraft. In some embodiments, the product is provided in an aerosol system with a nonflammable propellant. In some embodiments, the propellant is also non-polluting. In further embodiments, the propellant is HFC-134a, also known as 1, 1 ,1 ,2-tetrafluoroethane. In some embodiments, the propellant provides an internal pressure from 30 to 160 psi, from 60 to 120 psi, or from 65 to 80psi at 72°F. In some embodiments, the aerosol system can completely empty its contents at the pressure range used. Any suitable pressure vessel may be used. In some embodiments, an aerosol can is used. In some embodiments, the aerosol can contains at least 20% by weight of propellant, 30% to 90% by weight of propellant, 25% to 35% by weight of propellant, or 33% by weight of propellant. In some embodiments, the aerosol can contains less than 80% by weight of the product, 10% to 70% by weight of the product, 65% to 75% by weight of the product, or 67% by weight of the product. In some embodiments, the aerosol can is equipped with a nozzle that has an orifice size of from 1 to 15 mm, from 5 to 8 mm, or 7 mm. In some embodiments, the nozzle may be equipped with a conduit configured to direct the spray. In some embodiments the conduit is enclosed with an opening at the end of the conduit. In further embodiments, the conduit is a straw or a hose. In other embodiments the conduit is open for a portion or all of its length, forming a u-shaped channel. In further embodiments, the conduit is a canal. In further embodiments, the aerosol can may be used to apply to product to an active fire, to an extinguished fire, or may be used to apply the product as a fire retardant. U. S. Patent Nos. 5,340,871 and 7,713,365 provide other systems and procedures standard in the aerosol industry and are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

In preferred embodiments, the product may be biodegradable in a natural environment. The product may be an aqueous solution or suspension and may comprise water, inorganic phosphates, sulfates, and ammonium chloride. In preferred embodiments, the product may be free of sources of brominated heavy metals and other heavy metals. In preferred embodiments, the product may also be free of alkyd phosphates and bromides. In preferred embodiments, the product may provide excellent fire prevention or firefighting properties when distributed as a mist to minimize the amount of product used. A reduced amount of product needed for firefighting may reduce storage and transportation needs for a firefighting operation. In preferred embodiments, the product may be readily cleaned off equipment, tools, and materials to which it has been applied using water. These features may render the product safe for the environment as compared to other commonly used fire prevention and firefighting products.

Use of the product may reduce the costs of extinguishing fires and post-fire remediation and restoration. Use of the product may result in less property damage than if water is used to extinguish fires, such as when water is used to extinguish fires in buildings or other structures, and may result in reduced cleanup efforts required than if fire extinguishing powders and foams are used. Moreover, by significantly reducing the risk of re-ignition, use of the product may reduce the number of personnel and amount of firefighting materials and supplies required to ensure an extinguished fire remains extinguished.

In some embodiments, the product may be used to create fire breaks when fighting fires by utilizing its flame retardant properties. This method may be applied to firefighting in a variety of situations, including but not limited to firefighting at sea, firefighting in buildings and critical infrastructure, firefighting at refineries and other facilities where large quantities of flammable liquids are present, and fighting forest fires. By creating fire breaks while fighting a fire, it is possible to protect adjacent buildings, infrastructure, ships, land, and other possible objects and areas to which the fire could spread. In addition, by applying the product to adjacent objects and areas, spread of the fire can be prevented even if the fire breaks are otherwise unsuccessful. For example, when a forest fire has been extinguished with water, the fire will often flare up again as soon as the ground is dry. To prevent such flare ups, the extinguishing work after a maj or forest fire that has been extinguished with water is both costly and time consuming, as it requires access to personnel and firefighting materials and supplies for a long period of time. By dramatically reducing the risk of re-ignition, use of the product to extinguish a forest fire significantly reduces the number of personnel and amount of firefighting materials and supplies required to ensure the extinguished fire remains extinguished.

Moreover, preventing re-ignition of an extinguished fire will allow rescue personnel to enter an area affected by fire more quickly, as danger to the rescue personnel will be greatly reduced. This increases the opportunities to save the lives of individuals who may have otherwise perished in the fire. Namely, use of the products disclosed herein increases the size of the safe zone available to forest fire fighters and smoke divers. The products disclosed herein also provide a cooling effect in addition to creating the clear fire zone. Additionally, the products disclosed herein when applied to glass or windows can protect the glass from shattering and can thus also have the effect of preventing oxygen explosion.

Large scale testing of the products disclosed herein was conducted in conjunction with state- or nation-level authorities and institutions. The product was provided to the testing authority, the tests were conducted by the authority, and the results were obtained and controlled by said authority. Test results were often confirmed using thermal cameras and/or timing devices. General conclusions from large scale testing include: (1) temperature and humidity has a significant impact on the effectiveness of the product and (2) small and medium-sized fires are more easily extinguished than large fires Product Description

In one embodiment, the product comprises water, one or more flame retardant powders, one or more stabilizers, and one or more preservatives. In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more thickeners, one or more binders, one or more fining agents, one or more firming agents, one or more water retention agents, one or more water- soluble fluoropolymers or other water-soluble polymers with similar properties, and/or one or more detergents

In preferred embodiments, the stabilizers reduce surface tension, inhibit evaporation, and enable the product to penetrate slightly into liquids to which it is applied. In preferred embodiments, the surfactant promotes adhesion of the product to the surface of a liquid or solid to which it is applied. In preferred embodiments, the emulsifier facilitates the formation of emulsions during and after production of the product. In preferred embodiments, the stabilizer prevents the product from separating into its components when stored in a sealed container. In preferred embodiments, the binder further prevents the product from separating into its various components. In preferred embodiments, the fining agent further stabilizes the product and further facilitates creation of an emulsion. In preferred embodiments, the preservative retards decomposition of the product. In preferred embodiments, the firming agent further promotes adhesion of the product to the surface of the liquid to which it is applied.

In preferred embodiments, the stabilizer prevents the product from gelling or decomposing when stored in a sealed container and facilitates conversion of the product from a fluid into a gel upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen. In preferred embodiments, the binder prevents the product from separating into its various components. In preferred embodiments, the fining agent stabilizes the product and facilitates creation of an emulsion. In preferred embodiments, the preservative retards decomposition of the product. In preferred embodiments, the thickener increases the viscosity of the product.

In preferred embodiments, the firming and/or water retention agents promote sustained adhesion of the product to the surface of the solid or liquid material to which it is applied. In preferred embodiments, the water-soluble fluoropolymers or other water-soluble polymers with similar properties reduce friction, enhance penetration of the product into the solid or liquid material to which it is applied, improve the weather resistance of the product such that it is not readily washed away by rain or other weather events, and enhance the stability of the product. In highly preferred embodiments, the water-soluble fluoropolymers or other water-soluble polymers with similar properties enhance the stability of the product by retarding the decomposition of the flame retardant.

In some embodiments, the flame retardant powder comprises one or more ammonium salts, one or more other nitrogen-containing compounds such as fertilizers, one or more phosphates, and one or more sulfates. In preferred embodiments, the ammonium salt comprises ammonium chloride. In other preferred embodiments, the phosphates comprise one or more organic ammonium phosphates. In other preferred embodiments, the phosphates comprise aluminum phosphate. In highly preferred embodiments, the phosphates comprise one or more organic ammonium phosphates and aluminum phosphate. In preferred embodiments, the sulfates comprise inorganic sulfates.

In preferred embodiments, the flame retardant powder comprises ammonium chloride, an organic ammonium phosphate, aluminum phosphate, and an inorganic sulfate.

In preferred embodiments, the ammonium chloride comprises between about 10-30% of the flame retardant powder. In other preferred embodiments, the ammonium chloride comprises between about 10-15% of the flame retardant powder. In preferred embodiments, the one or more organic ammonium phosphates comprise between about 10-20% of the flame retardant powder. In preferred embodiments, the one or more organic ammonium phosphates comprise between about 10-15% of the flame retardant powder. In preferred embodiments, the nitrogen-containing compounds comprise between about 25-55% of the flame retardant powder. In preferred embodiments, the aluminum phosphate comprises between about 10- 15% of the flame retardant powder. In preferred embodiments, the sulfates comprise between about 10-30% of the flame retardant powder. In other preferred embodiments, the sulfates comprise between about 10-15% of the flame retardant powder. Unless otherwise required by the context, all percentages in the present disclosure are expressed in terms of weight.

In some preferred embodiments, the flame retardant powder comprises between about

10% by weight and about 30% by weight of ammonium chloride; between about 10% by weight and about 20% by weight of one or more organic ammonium phosphates; between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of aluminum phosphate; and between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of one or more inorganic sulfates.

In preferred embodiments, the flame retardant powder comprises between 12-20% of the product. In highly preferred embodiments, the flame retardant powder comprises between 12-15% of the product.

In preferred embodiments, the polymers comprise between 0.01 % and 1.6% of the product.

In preferred embodiments, the emulsifier comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of low viscosity oils and surfactants. In more preferred embodiments, the emulsifier comprises one or more low viscosity oils. In highly preferred embodiments, the emulsifier comprises between 0.1 % and 1.2% of the product.

In some embodiments, the stabilizer comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of alginates, guar gum, sodium phosphates, potassium phosphates, natural rubber, locust bean gum, guar gum, tragacanth, xanthan gum, karaya gum, tara gum, gellan gum, soybean hemicellulose, pectin, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene (40) stearate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan tristearate, gelatin, ammonium phosphatides, phosphates, diphosphates, polyphosphates, beta-cyclodextrin, cellulose and cellulose derivatives, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methylethyl cellulose, fatty acids, salts of fatty acids, monoglycerides, diglycerides, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, sugar esters of fatty acids, polyglycerol polyricinoleate, and stearyl tartrate. In preferred embodiments, the stabilizer comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of alginates, guar gum, xanthan gum, and potassium phosphates. In preferred embodiments the stabilizer comprises between 0.05% and 1.0% of the product.

In some embodiments, the preservative comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride, sorbic acid, sorbate salts, benzoic acid, benzoic acid esters, benzoate salts, 2-hydroxybiphenyl, sodium biphenyl-2-yl oxide, nisin, pimaracin, hexamine, dimethylcarbonate, acetic acid, acetic acid esters, acetate salts, tetraalkyl ammonium chlorides, alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and isothiazolinones. In some embodiments, the tetraalkyl ammonium chloride may comprise one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride. In some embodiments, the isothiazolinone may comprise one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of methylisothiazolinone and chloromethylisothiazolinone. In preferred embodiments, the preservative comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, benzoic acid esters, benzoate salts, acetic acid, acetic acid esters, and acetate salts. In preferred embodiments, the preservative comprises between 0.04% and 1.20% of the product.

In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more thickeners. In some embodiments, the thickener comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum and pectin. In preferred embodiments, the thickener comprises xanthan gum. In highly preferred embodiments, the xanthan gum comprises between 0.1 % and 1.0% of the product.

In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more firming and/or water retention agents. In some embodiments, the firming agent comprises calcium propionate. In some embodiments, the water retention agent comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of glycerol, massage oil, and a low viscosity oil. In preferred embodiments, the firming and/or water retention agent comprises between 0.2% and 0.9% of the product.

In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more water-soluble fiuoropolymers or other water-soluble polymers with similar properties. In preferred embodiments, the water-soluble fiuoropolymers or other water-soluble polymers with similar properties comprise between 1.45% and 1.60% of the product.

In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more binders. In preferred embodiments, the binder comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of polyesteral, melamine, polyurethane, processed eucheuma seaweed, gum arabic, and cassia gum. In more preferred embodiments the binder comprises between 0.2% and 1.2% of the product.

In some embodiments, the product further comprises one or more fining agents. In preferred embodiments, the fining agent comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of bentonite, tensides, kaolin, and silica sol. In more preferred embodiments, the fining agent comprises bentonite. In highly preferred embodiments, the bentonite comprises between 0.25% and 1.0% of the product.

In preferred embodiments, the product is a transparent liquid. In some embodiments, the product has a slight ammonia odor in liquid form and is substantially odorless after gellation or after the liquid components evaporate to yield a solid residue. In preferred embodiments, the product has a boiling point between 95°C and 105°C at atmospheric pressure. In highly preferred embodiments, the product has a boiling point between 99°C and

101°C at atmospheric pressure. In preferred embodiments, the product has a freezing point between -6°C and 4°C at atmospheric pressure. In highly preferred embodiments, the product has a freezing point between -2°C and 0°C at atmospheric pressure. In preferred embodiments, the product has a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. In preferred embodiments, the product has a viscosity between 3 mPa s and 80 mPa s depending on its concentration.

In preferred embodiments, the product may be stable for long-term storage when stored in a sealed container at temperatures between its freezing point and 35°C.The product may be prepared as a ready-to-use solution. In preferred embodiments, the ready-to-use solution comprises the following ingredients: water, a flame retardant powder, xanthan gum, a dishwashing detergent, vinegar, a preservative, and a polymer.

In some preferred embodiments, the ready-to-use solution may preferably comprise ingredients in approximately the following ratios:

(1) 2000 g flame retardant powder

(2) 16 g xanthan gum

(3) 5 g dishwashing detergent

(4) 7 g 12% (w/w) aqueous distilled vinegar

(5) 10 g preservative

(6) 20 g polymer (7) 7942 g water

The ready-to-use solution may preferably comprise approximately 12-20% of the active mixture in water.

In some preferred embodiments, the flame retardant powder may comprise ammonium chloride, one or more nitrogen-containing compounds, one or more organic ammonium phosphates, aluminum phosphate, and sulfates.

Any ordinary dishwashing detergent may be used. For the preparations described below, the dishwashing detergent used was Gramme Diskmedel by Gramme, which comprises: water, sodium laureth sulfate, trideceth-8, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium chloride, denatured alcohol, lauramine oxide, propylene glycol, perfume, benzisothiazolinone, potassium hydroxide, CL 19140, and CL 42090.

Any ordinary vinegar may be used. For the preparations described below, Absolut Ren Attika 12% distilled vinegar aqueous solution by Perstorp Attika was used.

Any ordinary preservative may be used. For the preparations below, the preservative used was a disinfectant by Biosphere Innovation which comprises: water, dimethyl ammonium chloride (1-3%), didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (1-3%), decyldimethyloctyl ammonium chloride (1-3%), and Cg-Cig-alkylbenzyldimethyl ammonium chloride (1-5%).

Any ordinary water-soluble fluoropolymer or other water-soluble polymer with similar properties may be used. For the preparations below, a fluoropolymer product comprising 1-5 % perfluoroalkyl copolymer, 5-10% acetic acid, and water was used.

Preparation of Ready -to-Use Solution:

The ready-to-use solution may be prepared as described below. 3000 g of water is heated to approximately 60°C in a suitable container. The water temperature should not be less than 53 °C or greater than 65°C. 2000 g of the flame retardant powder is added to the water while stirring with an electronic stirrer and is stirred until the flame retardant powder dissolves completely. The flame retardant powder used should preferably be dry and should preferably have previously been stored at ambient temperature. 10 g of the polymer is added, then 8 g of the xanthan gum is added, and the resulting mixture is stirred vigorously until the components dissolve completely. 5 g of the dishwashing detergent is then added to the solution while stirring and the mixture is stirred until the detergent dissolves completely. 10 g of the polymer is then added to the solution while stirring and the mixture is stirred until the polymer dissolves completely. 8 g of xanthan gum is then added to the solution while stirring and the mixture is stirred vigorously until the xanthan gum dissolves completely. The solution is then cooled 40-45°C without an external cooling source. In a separate container, 4942 g of water is heated to approximately 40-43°C. The water temperature should not be less than 35 °C or greater than 45°C. 7 g of distilled 12% aqueous vinegar is then added to the solution with electronic stirring and then the mixture is stirred until the vinegar dissolves completely. The solution is then cooled to below 40°C without an external cooling source. The temperature should not drop below 35°C during this cooling step. 10 g of preservative concentrate is then added to the solution with electronic stirring and then the mixture is stirred until the preservative dissolves completely. The solution comprising flame retardant powder, polymer, detergent, and xanthan gum is slowly added to the solution comprising vinegar and preservative with stirring with the electronic stirrer until the solutions are uniformly mixed.

The solution is then preferably allowed to cool to approximately 15-20°C without an external cooling source, filtered, and then poured into plastic containers of suitable size and each container is sealed with an airtight cap.

Excess stirring after components are dissolved may cause undesirable excessive drop in temperature of the solution. The sequence of addition of components minimizes undesired side reactions and promotes long-term stability of the product. The solutions must be prepared approximately simultaneously due to the thickening effects caused by xanthan gum upon allowing the solution comprising xanthan gum to stand.

Examples

The examples presented below are intended to be illustrative of the various methods and compositions disclosed herein.

Example 1 : Solid Fire Readv-To-Use Mixture

In a first container, 3000 g of water is heated to a temperature of 90° C or warmer. 2000 g flame retardant powder is added and the contents of the container are mixed until the powder has dissolved and the mixture is clear. The heat is then removed, and stirring is continued. When the mixture has reached a temperature between 36 and 38° C, 10 g fiuoropolymer is added with stirring. 8 g of Xanthan gum is added with stirring, preferably by a machine. 5g dishwashing detergent is added with stirring.

In a second container, 4942 g of water is heated to a temperature between 35 and 43° C. 7g white vinegar is added with stirring and the solution is maintained at a temperature between 35 and 43° C. In a separate beaker, 10 g concentrated preservative is added to 500 g of water and stirred. The contents of the beaker are then added to the second container.

The contents of the first and second containers are mixed and stirred until uniform. The mixture is let to stand until the temperature has dropped to a temperature between 15 and 20° C before pouring into packages.

Example 2: Solid Fire Concentrate

In a container, 5442g water is heated to a temperature of 90° C or warmer. 4000 g flame retardant powder is added and the contents of the container are mixed until the powder has dissolved and the mixture is clear. In a separate beaker, 500 g of water is heated to 50-54° C and 13 g xanthan gum is added while stirring hard. The contents of the beaker are added to the container and mixed. 7 g of white vinegar is added with stirring. 5 g dishwashing soap is added and the resulting mixture is stirred until the contents are gel-like in appearance.

To dilute for use, add sufficient water to achieve desired concentration.

Example 3 : Concentrate for Fighting Fires in Liquids

In a container, 1934 g water is heated to 90° C or warmer. 2900 g flame retardant powder is added and the contents of the container are mixed until the powder has dissolved and the mixture is clear. The heat is then removed, and stirring is continued. When the water and powder mixture have reached a temperature of 40° C, 2 g Kieselsol A (FL259) and 4 g Kieselsol B (BFL291) are added and the mixture is stirred until it reaches a temperature of 30° C. 16 g preservative is added and the mixture is stirred until it reaches a temperature of 28° C. 42 g fabric softener is added and the mixture is stirred until it reaches a temperature of 25° C. 12 g liquid laundry detergent and the mixture is stirred until it reaches a temperature of 20° C.

For use, the resulting concentrate is diluted with 5990 g water.

Example 4: Ready To Use Solution for Fighting Forest Fires

In a container, 2000 g flame retardant powder are mixed with 7860 g water until completely dissolved. 25 g preservative is added with stirring. 50 g fabric softener is added with stirring. 45 g dishwashing soap or 45 g of fabric softener is added and the mixture is stirred until it reaches a temperature between 30 and 35° C. 20 g white vinegar (12% w/v) is added with stirring. The mixture is let stand until it reaches a temperature between 15 and 20° C, then packaged.

Example 5: Concentrate for Fighting Forest Fires

In a container, 1308.3 g water is heated to 90° C or warmer. 2000 g flame retardant powder is added and the contents of the container are mixed until the powder has dissolved and the mixture is clear. The heat is then removed, and stirring is continued. When the water and powder mixture have reached a temperature of 40° C, 25 g preservative is added with stirring. 50 g fabric softener is added with stirring. 45 g dishwashing soap is added. 20 g white vinegar (12% w/w) is added with stirring. The mixture is then packaged.

For use, the mixture is diluted with 6552 g water.

Example 6: Concentrate for Fighting Fires in Liquids

In a first container, 896.69 g water is heated to 90° C or warmer. 2000 g flame retardant powder is added and the contents of the container are mixed until the powder has dissolved and the mixture is clear. The heat is then removed, and stirring is continued. When the water and powder mixture have reached a temperature of 50° C, 26.8 g com or canola oil is added with stirring. 14 g white vinegar (12% w/v) is added with stirring. In a second container, 0.6 g preservative is added to 29.4 g water at 35° C. In a third container, 0.89 g fiuoropolymer is added to 15.1 1 g water at 21 -29° C. The preservative and polymer solutions are added to the first container with stirring. In a fourth container, 15 g Kieselsol A (FL259) and 10 g Kieselsol B (BFL291) are added to 500 g water at a temperature between 45 and 41 ° C and stirred until dissolved. The Kieselsol solution is added to the first container and stirred until uniform. The mixture is then packaged.

For use, the mixture is diluted with 651 1 g water.

Example 7: Testing on Bales of Industrial Waste

Bales containing densely packed crushed industrial waste were tested in Bollnas, Sweden. Four bales were protected with the solid fire ready-to-use mixture of Example 1 before being placed in the test area. Two bales were untreated. The bales were covered by a thin plastic which would melt from exposure to high heat, and thus the crushed industrial waste was directly exposed to radiant heat during the experiment. The six bales were placed around an oblong pile of scrap wood with three bales on either side. Two bales on each side of the wood pile were treated and one was untreated. A treated wood facade was placed on one end and an untreated wood facade was placed on the other end. A nearby wall was also treated with the flame retardant product.

Fire extinguishers containing the flame retardant product and fire extinguishers containing water only were both used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the flame retardant product in extinguishing fires. The wood pile was soaked with a combustible fluid to ensure that the fire spread across the entire surface of the wood pile simultaneously. The wood pile was then ignited, generating a fire.

Treatment of the plastic with the flame retardant product did not appear to inhibit the spread of fire to the underlying bales. Fires that were extinguished with the flame retardant product remained extinguished and did not reignite. Fires that were extinguished with water reignited upon evaporation of the water. Fires were more quickly extinguished with the flame retardant product than with water. The wall treated with flame retardant product did not ignite, despite exposure to 220° C radiant heat and direct exposure to flames from the fire.

This test demonstrates that the flame retardant product would likely be an effective fire extinguishing agent for a fast surface fire within a confined area.

Example 8: Testing on Jet Fuel

In the tests disclosed in this Example, a water mirror on a concrete slab with an area of 30 m² was covered with 350 L jet fuel and 10 L gasoline. A metal structure was placed in the center. The jet fuel/gasoline mixture was then ignited. In test A, firefighting foam was used to extinguish the fire. 1,800 liters of foam was necessary to extinguish the fire. Shortly after the fire was extinguished, the fuel reignited. An additional 700 liters of foam was necessary to fully extinguish the fire. In test B, the product of Example 6 was used to extinguish the fire. 600 liters of the product of Example 6 was necessary to extinguish the fire. There was no reignition.

Example 9: Toxicity Studies A comparison study was performed between untreated plywood and plywood impregnated with the product. Toxicity measurements indicated that treating plywood with the product resulted in decreased atmospheric release of hydrochloric acid (HC1) and increased atmospheric release of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and nitrous oxide (NO) following exposure of the treated plywood to fire as compared to untreated plywood. The amount of carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and nitrous oxide release was within the limits established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a fire retardant to be considered non-toxic.

In one series of toxicity tests, three samples of Moelven Vanerply P30, a softwood plywood comprising spruce, were impregnated with the solid fire ready-to-use mixture of Example 1 by treating the plywood with the product for 72 hours, resulting in a concentration of the product impregnated into the plywood after treatment of 0.68 L/m², and subsequently dried. Three additional samples of Moelven Vanerply P30 were left untreated and were also subsequently dried. The tests were performed under conditions of IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 2. The amounts of various toxic gaseous byproducts released during testing were measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The average atmospheric releases of various toxic gaseous byproducts across three tests each for plywood impregnated with the product and untreated plywood are shown in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 - Release of Toxic Gaseous Byproducts

Under the conditions of the test, all hazardous gaseous byproduct emissions from plywood impregnated with the product were below levels deemed toxic.

Example 10: Fire Resistance Study

A fire resistance test on plywood impregnated with the mixture of Example 1 was conducted in accordance with NS-EN 1364-1 : 1999 and NS-EN 1342-2: 1999. A wall was constructed of timber framework, 36x98 mm and insulated with Rockwool A-plate of a density of 29 kg/m³. The wall was built symmetrically and the insulation layer was covered on both sides with boards of pine plywood that had been impregnated with the mixture of Example 1 to a concentration of 0.68 L/m². One side of the wall was then exposed to a gas- heated vertical furnace with heat and pressure regulated in accordance with the standard time/temperature curve of NS-EN 1363-1. Visual observations during the test included the following:

surface had a significantly darker color

compared to the beginning of the test

86:00 Some smoke from the vertical joint between

the boards was observed in the

middle/center of the wall

89:40-90: 10 The cotton wool test was performed close to

the vertical joint in the middle of the wall;

no criteria failure

96:00 A minor glowing was visible in the vertical

joint in the middle of the wall

97:30-97:40 Some minor irregular flames came through

the same point as the glowing

98:00 Sustained flaming of longer than 10

seconds.

After the test On the exposed side, the stone wool layer

was still in place. All timber studs were in

place, but were severely charred. The

unexposed side of the plywood was charred,

but still in place. There was a significant

gap in the joint where the sustained flaming

had occurred.

Example 11 : Fire Resistance Study A fire resistance test on plywood impregnated with the mixture of Example 1 was conducted in accordance with NS-EN 14135:2004. A covering was constructed that consisted of plywood boards of pine, with nominal density of 550 kg/m³. The plywood had 6 layers. The covering was fastened to wooden rails of spruce with dimensions 22x48 mm. The boards had no match boarding around the edges. The substrate material was 19 mm chipboard with a nominal density of 700 kg/m³. The chipboard was assembled to a structural timber fram with dimensions 48x148 mm, and center distance 600 mm. The pine plywood had been impregnated with the mixture of Example 1 to a concentration of 0.68 L/m². The covering was mounted over a gas-heated horizontal furnace with heat and pressure regulated in accordance with the standard time/temperature curve of NS-EN 1363-1. Visual observations during the test included the following:

covering fell to the furnace floor

08:00 Cracks emerged in the charred surface of the

covering material

10: 10 Termination of the test. There were no

visible flames on the exposed surface of the

covering during the test.

After the The first layer of the plywood had peeled test off in several places and was charred. The

unexposed side of the plywood board of the

covering was not damaged. There was no

damage on the lower side of the substrate.

The disclosure and examples above are intended as illustrative and are not intended to limit or otherwise restrict the invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon full appreciation of the above disclosure. For example, one skilled in the art will understand that a variety of different formulations that rely on the same underlying principles used to generate the formulations disclosed above may effect the same results as the disclosed formulations. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method of fighting active fires in liquids comprising applying a product to a liquid, wherein the product comprises a flame retardant comprising ammonium chloride, an organic ammonium phosphate, aluminum phosphate, and an inorganic sulfate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the product further comprises water, a polymer, a surfactant, an emulsifier, a preservative, and a firming agent.

3. The method of any one of claims 1 -2 wherein the product is sprayed from a nozzle as an aqueous solution or suspension.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3 wherein the product is misted onto the active fire.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4 wherein the product binds to the surface layer of the liquid.

6. The method of any one of claims l -5wherein after application the product penetrates into the liquid but does not substantially disperse throughout the liquid.

7. The method of any one of claims l-6wherein the product penetrates into the liquid to a depth of approximately 0.01 to 5 centimeters.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 -7 wherein applying the product prevents ignition or re-ignition of the liquid.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8 wherein ignition or re-ignition of the liquid is prevented by the product forming a layer of protection against ignition or re-ignition.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 -9 wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and polar liquids.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 -10 wherein after application the product provides cooling effects to reduce the temperature of the liquid.

12. The method of claim 1 1 wherein the cooling effects are provided by increased heat absorption capacity of the liquid.

13. The method of claim 1 1 wherein the cooling effects are provided by absorption or trapping of hot flammable gases.

14. The method of claim 1 1 wherein the cooling effects are provided by preventing flammable gases from contacting oxygen.

15. The method of claim 1 1 wherein the cooling effects are provided by extinguishing an active fire.

16. The method of Claim 2 wherein the product is used to create fire breaks.

17. The method of any one of claims l -16wherein the product is used in small firefighting equipment.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 -16 wherein the product is used in light or heavy ground-based firefighting equipment or in aerial firefighting equipment.

19. A method of preventing fires in liquids comprising applying a product to a liquid, wherein the product comprises a flame retardant comprising ammonium chloride, an organic ammonium phosphate, aluminum phosphate, and an inorganic sulfate.

20. The method of Claim 19 wherein the product further comprises water, a polymer, a surfactant, an emulsified, a preservative, and a firming agent.

21. The method of Claim 20 wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and polar liquids.

22. A flame retardant comprising ammonium chloride, one or more organic ammonium phosphates, aluminum phosphate, and one or more inorganic sulfates.

23. The flame retardant of claim 22, wherein the ammonium chloride comprises between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of the flame retardant.

24. The flame retardant of any one of claims 22-23, wherein the one or more organic ammonium phosphates comprise between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of the flame retardant.

25. The flame retardant of any one of claims 22-24, wherein the aluminum phosphate comprises between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of the flame retardant.

26. The flame retardant of any one of claims 22-25, wherein the one or more inorganic sulfates comprise between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of the flame retardant.

27. The flame retardant of any one of claims 22-26, further comprising one or more nitrogen-containing compounds.

28. The flame retardant of claim 27, wherein the one or more nitrogen-containing compounds comprise between about 25% by weight and about 55% by weight of the flame retardant.

29. A product comprising: the flame retardant of any one of claims 22-28, water, one or more polymers, one or more surfactants, one or more emulsifiers, one or more preservatives, and one or more firming agents.

30. The product of claim 29, wherein the one or more surfactants are selected from the group consisting of anionic tensides, methylchlorothiazoline, bromonitropropane, and 2- bromo-2-nitropropane- 1 ,3-diol.

31. The product of any one of claims 29-30, wherein the one or more emulsifiers are selected from the group consisting of low viscosity oils and low-viscosity surfactants.

32. The product of any one of claims 29-31, wherein the one or more preservatives are selected from the group consisting of niacin, tetraalkyl ammonium chlorides, alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, isothiazolinones, acetic acid, and benzoic acid.

33. The product of any one of claims 29-32, wherein the one or more firming agents are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, fatty acids, and low viscosity oils.

34. The product of any one of claims 29-33, further comprising one or more stabilizers.

35. The product of claim 34, wherein the one or more stabilizers are selected from the group consisting of alginates, guar gum, sodium phosphates, and potassium phosphates.

36. The product of any one of claims 29-35, further comprising one or more binders.

37. The product of claim 36, wherein the one or more binders are selected from the group consisting of polyesteral, melamine, polyurethane, processed eucheuma seaweed, gum arabic, and cassia gum.

38. The product of any one of claims 29-37, further comprising one or more fining agents.

39. An aerosol system comprising the product of any one of claims 29-38 and a nonflammable propellant.

40. The aerosol system of claim 39, wherein the propellant is HFC-134&

41. A flame retardant comprising: between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of ammonium chloride; between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of one or more organic ammonium phosphates; between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of aluminum phosphate; between about 25% by weight and about 55% by weight of one or more nitrogen- containing compounds; and between about 10% by weight and about 15% by weight of one or more inorganic sulfates.

42. A flame retardant and fire extinguishing product for preventing and fighting fires in solid materials comprising:

a. water;

b. one or more flame retardants comprising between about 10% and 30% ammonium chloride, between about 10% and 20% of one or more organic ammonium phosphates, between about 10% and 15% aluminum phosphate, and between about 10% and 30% of one or more inorganic sulfates;

c. one or more stabilizers;

d. one or more preservatives;

e. one or more water-soluble fiuoropolymers or other water-soluble polymers with similar properties;

f. one or more detergents; and

g. one or more sanitizers

wherein the product is thixotropic and non-toxic; and

wherein the flame retardant comprises between 3% and 25% of the product.

43. The product of Claim 42, wherein the flame retardant comprises between 18% and 22% of the product.

44. The product of any of claims 42-43, wherein the stabilizer comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of alginates, guar gum, potassium phosphates, natural rubber, locust bean gum, guar gum, tragacanth, xanthan gum, karaya gum, tara gum, gellan gum, soybean hemicellulose, pectin, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene (40) stearate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan tristearate, gelatin, ammonium phosphatides, phosphates, diphosphates, polyphosphates, beta-cyclodextrin, cellulose and cellulose derivatives, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methylethyl cellulose, fatty acids, salts of fatty acids, monoglycerides, diglycerides, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, sugar esters of fatty acids, polyglycerol polyricinoleate, and stearyl tartrate.

45. The product of any of claims 42-44, wherein the stabilizer comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of alginates, guar gum, xanthan gum, and potassium phosphates.

46. The product of any of claims 42-45, wherein the stabilizer comprises between 0.05% and 1.0% of the product.

47. The product of any of claims 42-46, wherein the preservative comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride, sorbic acid, sorbate salts, benzoic acid, benzoic acid esters, benzoate salts, 2-hydroxybiphenyl, sodium biphenyl- 2-yl oxide, nisin, pimaracin, hexamine, dimethylcarbonate, acetic acid, acetic acid esters, acetate salts, tetraalkyl ammonium chlorides, alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and isothiazolinones.

48. The product of any of claims 42-47, wherein the preservative comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, benzoic acid esters, benzoate salts, acetic acid, acetic acid esters, and acetate salts.

49. The product of any of claims 42-48, wherein the preservative comprises between 0.04% and 1.20% of the product.

50. The product of any of claims 42-49, wherein the stabilizer comprises xanthan gum and the preservative comprises acetic acid.

51. The product of claim 50, wherein the xanthan gum comprises between about 0.05% and 1.0% of the product, the acetic acid comprises between about 0.04% and 1.20% of the product, the detergent comprises between about 0.01 % and 0.1 % of the product, the sanitizer comprises between about 0.05% and 0.2% of the product, and the water-soluble fluoropolymer or other water-soluble polymer with similar properties comprises between about 0.1% and 0.3% of the product.

52. The product of any of claims 42-51 , wherein the product is a transparent liquid, has a slight ammonia odor in liquid form, and is substantially odorless after gellation or after the liquid components evaporate to yield a solid residue.

53. The product of any of claims 42-52, wherein the product is stable for long-term storage when stored at temperatures between its freezing point and 35°C.

54. The product of any of claims 42-53, wherein the product is mold and fungus resistant.

55. The product of any of claims 42-54, wherein the product is biodegradable in a natural environment.

56. The product of any of claims 42-55 wherein the product is free of sources of brominated heavy metals and other heavy metals.

57. The product of any of claims 42-56 wherein the product provides excellent fire prevention or firefighting properties when distributed as a mist.

58. The product of any of claims 42-57 wherein the product is readily cleaned off equipment, tools, and materials to which it has been applied using water.