Water/Foam Monitor Mapping (Trajectory simulation)

FPEC's mapping software (Trajectory simulation) for water or foam monitor comprise flying trajectory calculation programs of water or foam stream discharged from a nozzle.  The water or foam discharged stream will be affected strongly by wind, which effect can be calculated by this program.
In case of water discharge, the trajectory simulation is possible for not only solid stream but also for spray streams with up to 120 deg angle.
The calculated trajectory is displayed on the 3D graphics by AutoCAD to check if coverage by the monitor is adequate visually. By this mapping software (Trajectory simulation), appropriate mapping of fixed or portable monitors, fire trucks etc., can be studied under windy conditions,.

 Experience the simulation

  • Free FM-VIEWER for this simulation is available. You can experience what simulation results look like by using Sample simulation results shown on plant layouts.
    Please visit the pages of “Plant Disaster Preventing Simulation” and “Free FM-VIEWER Download” for more detail. 
  • VIEWER demo movies are also available on the page of "Free FM-VIEWER Demo Movie."
    We recommend to check them out at first so that you can easily imagine what our simulation programs look like and will find the value of those programs.

 

  Water Monitor  

Water stream trajectory depends on characteristic on the nozzle type.  Based on a nozzle maker's data on discharge trajectory (at least two points are required), specific factors for this software will be decided and then the trajectory simulation will be dedicated for the nozzle.
As described below, this software is applicable for various types of water nozzle as well as water monitor, but not for flat type nozzle.

  1. Applicable nozzle type
    • Variable nozzle
      hand line nozzle, water monitor, water cannon on the fire truck, telescopic tower truck nozzle,etc.,
    • Jet nozzle (solid stream nozzle)
      hand line nozzle etc.,
    • Water curtain nozzle
      To discharge water jet straight up in the air to make water curtain by falling water
    • Spray nozzle
      applicable for various types of the nozzle., and can simulate discharge pattern at any angle of discharge under any wind condition.
      It is possible to check if there is a dry spot without actual water discharge test.
    • Sprinkler nozzle
      It is possible to check if there is an area being not covered without actual water discharge test.
  2. Discharge pattern
    It is possible to simulate the trajectory for not only jet stream but also spray stream at any spray angle.
  3. Effect by wind 
    As well as following wind or against wind, effect of any angle wind can be reflect the trajectory simulation.
  4. Water discharge direction
    It is possible to simulate the trajectory for water discharge in any angle direction. In case of water curtain nozzle, maximum height of the water curtain, which discharged water is able to reach, can be calculated.
  5. Display
     The trajectory is shown on plant layout or map on 3D AutoCAD drawing. 

　Example-1　

Figure 1-1 shows discharged stream trajectories at the spray angle of zero, 30, 60, 90 and 120 deg. and wind direction is from right side to left side.
Figure 1-2 shows water discharge to cover the equipment on the third floor of the elevated structure. The discharged spray angle is 30 deg., so the trajectory is strongly affected by wind. The discharge from downwind side monitor does not fly so long distance, but one s from upwind side monitor reaches to long distance. So overall coverage by monitors can be obtained even under wind condition.

Figure 1-1；various spray angle discharge from fixed water monitor

  

Figure 1-2；water discharge from upwind and down wind simultaneously


　Example-2　

Figure 2-1 shows water discharge from telescopic tower nozzle (left side fire truck) and foam discharge (right side fire truck). The heat flux contour map is also shown around the transformer fire.
As shown in figure 2-2, various studies are possible for fire situations by using suitable layout drawing or pictures.

Figure 2-1；discharge water and foam to fire at transformer from fire trucks

  

Figure 2-2；water discharge  from fire boats to a container ship

 

　Example-3　

Figure 3-1 shows simulation for water spray system to discharge water to the vertical vessel under wind condition and displayed on 3D AutoCAD drawing. by AutoCAD function of walk through, you can come into the spray to check if dry spot exists.
Figure 3-2 shows simulation for water curtain to check the effectiveness for protection of the adjacent tank from a tank fire. 
Figure 3-3 shows simulation for water curtain to check the effectiveness for protection of the cooling tower from a tank fire, since the tank is located within 30 m from the cooling tower in contrary to NFPA requirement.

Figure 3-1；spray nozzles 

Figure 3-2；water curtain between tanks

 

 Figure 3-3；protection of cooling tower by water curtain


　Foam Monitor　

Foam stream trajectory depends on characteristic on the nozzle type.  Based on a nozzle maker's data on discharge trajectory (at least two points are required), specific factors for this software will be decided and then the trajectory simulation will be dedicated for the nozzle. 
As described below, this software is applicable for both types of foam nozzle, aspirator type and non- aspirator type. 

  1. Applicable nozzle type
    • Aspirator type foam nozzle
      air is induced at the inlet of the nozzle and expanded to approx. 7 times in volume, and then foam is discharged from the nozzle.
      hand line foam nozzle, foam monitor, foam cannon on the fire truck , telescopic tower foam nozzle etc.,
    • Non-aspirator foam nozzle
      Foam solution is discharged from the nozzle and the discharged stream induce the air during flying to expand. Expansion ratio is approx. 2 to 3 times and will be increased with the flying time.
      hand line foam nozzle, foam monitor, foam cannon on the fire truck , telescopic tower foam nozzle etc.,
  2. Expansion ratio
    In case of aspirator type, expansion ratio will not change during flying through air, but non-aspirator type case, it will be increased with flying time, which is calculated by the program. 
  3. Discharge pattern 
    applicable only for jet stream.
  4. Effect by wind 
    As well as following wind or against wind, effect of any angle wind can reflect the trajectory simulation.
  5. Foam discharge direction
    It is possible to simulate the trajectory for foam discharge in any angle direction. 
  6. Display
     The trajectory is shown on plant layout or map on 3D AutoCAD drawing. 


　Example-4　

Figure 4-1 shows discharging foam from a telescopic fire truck  to a fire beyond the compressor shelter.
Figure 4-2 shows that foam is discharged from a large foam monitor to  a sweet spot of the fired tank. Black column on the tank means zone of higher updraft speed by a fire. Foam will be blown off within the zone.

Figure 4-1 foam discharge from fire truck to a fire in process area

  

Figure 4-2 Foam and water discharge from fire truck to a tank fire


　Example 5　

Figure 5-1 shows that foam is discharged from two large foam monitors to the sweet spot of the fired tank beyond the pipe rack.  Black column on the tank is the same meaning  as the above example.
Figure 5-2 is enlarged view around the pipe rack in 3D graphics.   For mapping of water or foam discharge equipment, 3D layout graphics are required for confirmation of no obstruction against foam discharge. 

Figure 5-1 foam discharge from a large foam monitor to a fired tank

  

Figure 5-2 check obstruction for foam discharge