In the foreseeable future, new mobile systems for fire extinguishing, chemical protection and camouflage will have to enter the armament of the fire brigade of the Ministry of Defense. On the basis of new original solutions, a special multifunctional complex was created in our country, capable of solving various tasks to eliminate accidents or increase the combat potential of troops. The promising complex was named "The Beast".
The domestic media reported about the existence of the "Beast" project a long time ago. In recent months, this development has repeatedly become the subject of new publications, which considered its features, capabilities and prospects. In addition, the press revealed some details of existing plans regarding the future fate of the "Beast" system. It should also be noted that the development organization has published a number of interesting materials both about the complex as a whole and about its individual components.
According to the latest data, the mobile complex "Zver" has already passed the necessary field tests, and has also been tested by units of the armed forces. Now the question of adopting the complex for service is being decided. The operators of such equipment will be fire brigade units responsible for the safety of ammunition and fuel depots. It is also planned to supply the Zver systems to the rescue regiments being formed, whose task will be to participate in the elimination of the consequences of natural disasters and man-made disasters.
General view of the complex "Beast"
The mobile complex "Zver" was developed by the research and production association "Modern Fire Technologies" (NPO SOPOT, St. Petersburg). The goal of the project was to create a special system capable of fighting fires at various facilities, as well as protecting people and the environment from the negative consequences of a fire. An additional task of the designers was to ensure the possibility of using the complex as a means of camouflaging equipment. According to the representatives of the developer organization, all the tasks were successfully completed.
The system of a new type has already been demonstrated at military-technical exhibitions, but it could hardly have attracted special public attention. In order to simplify transportation and use, the Zver complex has a body in the form of a standard 20-foot container. Most of the elements of the complex are placed inside a metal case, beyond which only a manipulator with fire nozzles protrudes. Despite this layout, the container accommodates all the necessary systems and tools, and can also carry a large number of additional devices.
The body in the form of a standard container provides the highest mobility of equipment. A "beast" in this design can be delivered to the place of work using trucks, trains, ships or aircraft with appropriate characteristics. From the point of view of logistics and ergonomics, the mobile complex is no different from freight containers of similar dimensions.
Inside the container body, there are tanks containing a total of 5 tons of extinguishing composition components. There are separate tanks for water or mortar, for hardener and for foaming agent. In addition, a relatively powerful diesel pumping unit is used, which is necessary to supply the composition to the burning object. The solution is ejected through the Purga-2TP type barrel, which has the ability to target a burning object. It is claimed that a powerful pump with a capacity of 40-200 l / s allows the extinguishing composition to be ejected to a distance of up to 100 m. In a few minutes, the Zver complex can spray the composition over an area of up to several thousand square meters.
"The Beast" on the "Ural" truck
In the compartments of the container, it is also proposed to transport a set of sleeves, a backpack and mobile device with fire nozzles, a set of tools, rescue equipment and other material needed to extinguish fires. All compartments of additional equipment, which are accessible from the outside, are closed with dust and moisture protection doors or curtains. In case of work in cold climates, the container is equipped with its own heating systems to prevent freezing of liquid components.
The main feature of the promising complex, which gives it unique characteristics, is the original composition of the solution intended for extinguishing fires. When it was created, the staff of NPO SOPOT analyzed the existing extinguishing means and made some conclusions, taking into account which further work was carried out. Existing water-based solutions and foams were considered ineffective. It was found that when extinguishing a burning vertical surface, no more than 5% of the "traditional" foam is retained on it, while the remaining 95% simply flows down, allowing the object to re-ignite. In addition, existing types of foam tend to solidify, forming a relatively solid substance that can interfere with further work to eliminate the accident.
The company "Modern Fire Technologies" together with specialists from the University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (St. Petersburg) has developed its own version of extinguishing foam, which has a number of original features. Through the use of new components, the foam is said to be more effective in extinguishing fires, and in addition, it can be used for new unusual purposes. Without replacing the solution used, the Zver system can both extinguish fires and mask military equipment. The new type of foam received the designation SDKP ("Specialized two-component composition for fire extinguishing").
As the name implies, the new type of solution consists of two main components mixed with water. It is a hardener and foaming agent. As part of the foaming agent, microscopic silica particles are used. The interaction of the two components of the solution with an open flame or a heated surface should lead to the formation of a rapidly hardening foam. The components together form a gel-like substance that covers the burning object and solves the problem of extinguishing the fire. It takes no more than 30 seconds for the foam to fully harden. The structure of the formed silica-based gel repeats the structure of "traditional" foams with the difference that instead of air bubbles, it contains mineral grains.
Fire extinguishing with two-component hardening foam. Photos were taken at intervals of 5 seconds
Fire extinguishing with hardening foam is carried out due to several factors. First of all, the formation of a solid "crust" blocks the access of atmospheric oxygen and suppresses combustion. Also, due to the temperature difference and the presence of water in the solution, the burning object is cooled, which reduces the likelihood of re-ignition. According to the developer, the composition of the SDKP can have a specific heat capacity of more than 2.5 kJ / (kg • ° С), which is several times higher than the capabilities of other means of a similar purpose. The specific consumption of foam can be at the level of 1 kg / m2, which is several times less than the corresponding indicators of serial products.
Unlike existing surfactant formulations, the new two-component formulation hardens quickly and remains on all surfaces. Tests have confirmed the possibility of crust formation even on the glass surface. Remaining on the surface of solid combustible materials, the frozen foam continues to cool them and exclude the access of oxygen. Such effects persist for 2-3 hours, which allows extinguishing to be completed without the risk of re-igniting the objects covered with foam.
An important feature of hardening foam is to reduce the negative impact on the environment in the presence of special threats. The hard crust blocks the spread of toxic combustion gases. In addition, the composition absorbs radiation, dramatically reducing its effect on surrounding objects and people. Such features of the complex can be useful in the nuclear and chemical industries.
As an additional advantage of SDKP foam, the developer calls the ease of its removal. After the completion of the extinguishing of the fire, cleaning the frozen composition can be quite fast and not too difficult. The hardened composition should be washed off the extinguished objects with water. The resulting solution is safe for the environment.
Using the composition of the SDKP, the mobile complex "Zver" can be used to extinguish fires at various objects of military and civilian infrastructure, as well as in forests and agricultural land. The characteristics of the foam make it possible to extinguish any solid combustible materials, which allows the complex to be used in a variety of situations. The mobility of the container system and the high characteristics of the original extinguishing composition together give high efficiency.
Container transportation by floating conveyor
The "Beast" system with the SDKP composition is of particular interest in the context of extinguishing fires at ammunition depots. Such incidents have a number of negative features that seriously impede the work of firefighters and rescuers. The promising complex is distinguished by high performance characteristics, and is also capable of operating with minimal human participation. As a result, the "Beast" can be used in especially difficult conditions of fires in warehouses. The features of the proposed foam, in turn, will not only simplify extinguishing, but also facilitate the further work of specialists in the fire.
The Zver complex is positioned as a mobile chemical protection and camouflage system. The latter task is also proposed to be solved using a hardening two-component foam. The authors of the project propose to mask weapons and equipment, covering them with a layer of SDKP composition. Due to the specific composition, the resulting "cocoon" should protect them from detection. Foam containing silicon dioxide (IV) and other components will be able to absorb some types of radiation and reflect others. All this, at least, will seriously complicate the detection of camouflaged objects using radar or other systems. If necessary, the hardened foam can be quickly removed from the equipment using any available washing systems.
According to domestic media reports, by now the mobile complex of chemical protection and camouflage "Zver" has already passed tests, in which scientific research organizations of the Ministry of Defense took part. In addition, the equipment was tested on the basis of special army units. In the foreseeable future, the issue of accepting the system for supply will be resolved, after which the serial equipment will begin to enter the fire departments and the rescue regiments being formed.
The exact dates and volumes of future deliveries have not yet been specified. Also, there is still no exact information about the plans of the Ministry of Defense. Nevertheless, it is already clear that the use of the "Beast" systems in the troops will have certain positive consequences. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that such a technique will be idle. However, its application will sharply reduce the risks for personnel, as well as simplify and accelerate the elimination of accidents.
