Fixed Foam calculation

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The main purpose of this calculation is to find the amount of foam required, the size of the foam tank, the
number and location of monitors, the capacity of the foam liquid pump and the fire pump.
Contents
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1 Example

1.1 Dimensions of the protected area

1.2 Foam solution supply rate

1.3 Foam liquid amount and tank size

1.4 Foam monitor capacity

1.5 Distance between monitors

1.6 Number of monitors

1.7 Foam liquid pump

1.8 Minimum capacity of fire pump

2 References

Example
An example of a 47,000 tonnes deadweight Chemical tanker is taken. For an oil tanker the rule requirement is
the SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 60,61. In case of a chemical tanker, the rule reference is theIBC Code
Chapter 11.

Dimensions of the protected area

Here we have to find the area from the three options mentioned in the rules.

.1) Cargo tank deck area (A1) defined as the product of the maximum breadth of the ship and the total
longitudinal extent of the cargo tank spaces. Here breadth (B1) = 32.20 m, length (L1) = 131 m

Area A1 = B1 x L1 = 4218.2 sq.m

2) Area of the largest single tank A2 is defined as the product of breadth (B2) and length (L2). Here B2
= 16.10 m, length (L2) = 21.20 m

Area A2 = B2 x L2 = 341.32 sq.m

3) The third area concerns the coverage of the monitors, which will be done after the monitor location
and number is decided.

Foam solution supply rate

From the rules(IBC 11.3.5), the rate of supply of foam solution shall not be less than the greatest of the
following:

.1) Q1 = 2 lit/min/sq.m x A1 = 2 x 4218.2 = 8436.4 lit/min

.2) Q2 = 20 lit/min/sq.m x A2 = 20 x 341.32 = 6826.4 lit/min

.3) Q3 = 10 lit/min/sq.m x A3 = 10 x 779.24 = 7792.4 lit/min. Here the A3 is from the monitor
calculation.

The largest figure among the three is taken. ie. supply rate Q = 8436.4 lit/min
Note: For oil tanker design foam calculation (SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 61(3)), the foam quantity is much
less for the same tank dimensions. Instead of 2, 20 and 10 lit/min/sq.m for a chemical carrier, it is 0.6, 6 and 3
lit/min/sq.m; a factor of 3.3 times.

Foam liquid amount and tank size

According to the rules, IBC 11.3.6 , sufficient foam concentrate shall be supplied to ensure atleast 30 min of
foam generation. For Oil / Product / Chemical tankers an alcohol resistant foam is used. In this case a Fluro
protien foam compound (FP-AR) is selected. It's mixing ration "m" is 3 %.
For a time T of 30 min operation and mixing ratio, m, 3 %, the foam liquid required would be F = ( Q x m x T) /
100 = 7592.8 lit
This is the minimum quantity of foam concentrate required in the foam tank. Accordingly the size of the tank is
chosen. In this case an 8500 lit tank is chosen.

Foam monitor capacity

From the rules, IBC 11.3.7, atleast 50% (Q min) of the foam supply rate as per largest required rate (Q) shall be
delivered from each monitor.

Qmin = Q x 0.5 = 8436.4 x 0.5 = 4218.2 lit/min

Here the type of monitor used is FN-ML-150. The inlet design pressure at the monitor (after the loss of head
from the Fire & G.S pump discharge) is 6 bar. Its capacity (Qm) is 7800 lit/min and the throwing length Ro in
still air is 70 m.
The rules, IBC 11.3.8, states that the distance from the monitor to the farthest extremity of the protected area
forward of that monitor shall not be more than 75% of the monitor throw in still air conditions.
ie. R = Ro x 0.75 = 70 x 0.75 = 52.5 m

Distance between monitors

According to the rules, IBC 11.3.5, the capacity of any monitor shall be atleast 10 lit/min/sq.m of the deck area
protected by that monitor, such area being entirely forward of the monitor. Also one monitor to be provided on
each side of the front of the poop or cago tank decks (refer IBC 11.3.9). These front monitors should cover an
area whose lenght is P1 (which is also the distance to next forward monitor) and breadth the half- breadth B1/2.
ie. B1/2 = 32.2 / 2 = 16.1 m.
P1a = Qm / (10 x B1/2) = 7800 / (10 x 16.1) = 48.4 m
For the other monitors, the coverage length is P2 (which is the distance to the next forward monitor) and
breadth B1.
P2a = Qm / (10 x B1) = 7800 / (10 x 32.2) = 24.2 m
Also the distance between monitors can be calculated according to the throw lenght R. For the front monitors
the throw lenght is the hypotenuse, the quarter-breadth (B1/4) one side and we can find the distance to the
next monitor. R = 52.5 m
R^2 = (P1b)^2 + (B1/4)^2. ie. P1b = sqr.root { R^2 - (B1/4)^2 }. ie. P1b = 51.88 m
For the other monitors, the distance to the next forward monitor is P2a which is one side of the right angle
triangle with t he hypotenuse as the throw lenght (R) and other side as half-breadth (B1/2)
P2b = sqr.root { R^2 - ( B1/2)^2 } = sqr.root { 52.5^2 - 16.1^2). ie. P2b = 49.97 m
For P1 use the smaller value of P1a and P1b. Therefore P1 = 48.4 m
and P2 use the smaller value of P2a and P2b. Therefore P2 = 24.2 m. Area covered A3 = 24.2 x 32.2 = 779.24
sq.m. Confirm if the obtained value satisfies the above conditions.

Number of monitors
Number of monitors = (L1 - P1) / P2 + 2 = (131 - 48.4)/ 24.2 + 2 = 5.41. ie. 6 monitors. t he 2 in the equation is
the accommodation front monitors.

Foam proportioner
Foam supply rate Q, as calculated above = 8436.4 lit/min
Mixing ratio, m = 3 % (in this case. different mixing ratio is possible dependging on the foam concentrate)
Water flow rate, W = Q x (100 - m) / 100 = 8436.4 x (100 - 3) / 100 = 8183.3 lit/min
A proportioner is selected. In this case MV200, 200A x 50A with a flow range of 850 ~ 8500 lit/min. The main
characteristic of the proportioner is that it will accurately proportionate the foam liquid at 3 % upto a flow of
8436.4 lit/min irrespective of flow rate or pressure.

Foam liquid pump

Foam liquid pump capacity, C = (Q x m x 60) / (100 x 1000) cu.m/hr
C = ( 8436.4 x 3 x 60 ) / (100 x 1000) = 15.19 cu.m/hr
Pressure to be minimum 1 bar higher than maximum water pressure at foam proportioner. Minimum required
pressure = 10 bar
Rating = Movitec VF 10/10, 7.5 Kw, 3 phase, 60 Hz

Minimum capacity of fire pump

Supply rate, Q = 8436.4 lit/min
As per the rules, IBC 11.3.10, the capacity of one applicator must be atleast 400 lit/min. Also atleast two
applicators in opeartion. So total of 800 lit/min flow required.
Minimum fire pump capacity, Cf = {Q x (100 - m) x 60}/ (1000 x 100 ) + Qh x 60 / 1000 includes the foam
monitors and the applicator.
Cf = { 8436.4 x 97 x 60 }/ (1000 x 100) + 800 x 60 / 1000 = 539 cu.m/hr