optimizing

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new portable tool that may help firefighters battle blazes more efficiently and with less risk.

Traditional firefighting methods include chemical foams – which are toxic – and the use of hydrants, which can strain water resources. The recent fires in Southern California demonstrated the need for efficient fire suppression methods. The new device works to suppress flames using conductive aerosols, which are small particles that can direct electricity.

The device uses vortex rings – small donut-shaped bands of air – that transform the aerosol particles into short pulses of wind that convert nearby oxygen into ozone. This accelerated airflow generates rapid turbulence, which disrupts the natural combustion process and quickly extinguishes the target fire.

The device resembles a small bucket, attached to an arm brace. Firefighters would aim the bucket toward the fire, and it would use bursts of compressed air to deliver aerosols in an electric arc to fight the fire.

Testing identified a coarse copper solution for the vortex ring material and simulations showed that the device would succeed in suppressing fires. They then worked on optimizing the power and range of the device.

Depending on the size of the fire and number of firefighters, it is likely that several of the devices would be required in a real emergency. According to the developers, the design of the vortex launcher is actually very simple and is very scalable. The device is maneuverable in tight spaces and could be taken through doors and indoor environments. Vortex rings can carry chemical payloads over longer distances than other methods, making firefighters safe by staying further from flames.

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New device uses electrically assisted wind to fight fires

Photo, posted November 12, 2024, courtesy of the USDA Forest Service via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

The aviation industry accounts for about 2.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions. If the aviation industry was a country, it would place sixth in emissions, between Japan and Germany.

According to scientists at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, aviation industry emissions could be reduced by simply better surfing the wind. The researchers found that commercial flights between New York and London could have used up to 16% less fuel if they had made better use of the fast-moving winds at altitude.

The study, which was recently published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, analyzed approximately 35,000 flights in both directions between New York and London last winter. The researchers compared how much fuel was burned during these flights to how much less fuel would have been burned by flying into or around the eastward jet stream air currents.

They found that taking better advantage of the winds would have saved about 125 miles worth of fuel per flight on average. The fuel saving per flight was 1.7% when flying west to New York, and 2.5% when flying east to London.

New satellites will soon allow transatlantic flights to be tracked more accurately. This should afford aircraft more flexibility in their flight paths, allowing them to better follow tailwinds and avoid headwinds.

Upgrading aircraft or switching to greener fuels are two other ways that the aviation industry can reduce emissions, but those things are costly and take time to implement. Optimizing flight paths is cheaper and offers immediate benefits.

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Aircraft could cut emissions by better surfing the wind

Photo, posted May 16, 2011, courtesy of Cory W. Watts via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

Fighting fires with man-made wind

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new portable tool that may help firefighters battle blazes more efficiently and with less risk.

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Aircraft Emissions And Climate Change | Earth Wise

The aviation industry accounts for about 2.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions. If the aviation industry was a country, it would place sixth in emissions, between Japan and Germany.

Web Links