Alcohol, flash-point

Liquid stored methyl alcohol (flash point = 52°F)... 

Semi-empirical formulae, based only on molecular structure, have been derived which allow flammability limits to be calculated for hydrocarbons and alcohols. Flash points, autoignition temperatures and boiling points may also be calculated from molecular structure for these classes. Quoted examples indicate the methods... 

Furfuryl alcohol is comparable to kerosene or No. 1 fuel oil in flammabiUty, the Tag Closed Cup flash point is 170°F. In the presence of concentrated mineral acids or strong organic acids, furfuryl alcohol reacts with explosive violence. Therefore, precautions should be taken to avoid contact of such materials with the alcohol. Caution is also recommended to avoid over-catalysis in the manufacture of furfuryl alcohol resins. 

Health nd Safety Factors. Although propargyl alcohol is stable, violent reactions can occur in the presence of contaminants, particularly at elevated temperatures. Heating in undiluted form with bases or strong acids should be avoided. Weak acids have been used to stabilize propargyl alcohol prior to distillation. Since its flash point is low, the usual precautions against ignition of vapors should be observed. 

Flammability Acrolein is very flammable its flash point is <0° C, but a toxic vapor cloud will develop before a flammable one. The flammable limits in air are 2.8% and 31.0% lower and upper explosive limits, respectively by volume. Acrolein is only partly soluble in water and will cause a floating fire, so alcohol type foam should be used in firefighting. The vapors are heavier than air and can travel along the ground and flash back from an ignition source. 

Tetrahydronaphthalene [119-64-2] (Tetralin) is a water-white Hquid that is insoluble in water, slightly soluble in methyl alcohol, and completely soluble in other monohydric alcohols, ethyl ether, and most other organic solvents. It is a powerhil solvent for oils, resins, waxes, mbber, asphalt, and aromatic hydrocarbons, eg, naphthalene and anthracene. Its high flash point and low vapor pressure make it usehil in the manufacture of paints, lacquers, and varnishes for cleaning printing ink from rollers and type in the manufacture of shoe creams and floor waxes as a solvent in the textile industry and for the removal of naphthalene deposits in gas-distribution systems (25). The commercial product typically has a tetrahydronaphthalene content of >97 wt%, with some decahydronaphthalene and naphthalene as the principal impurities. 

Water solubiHty sometimes is important in determining whether water can be used to dilute or flush away flammable Hquids. However, a water solution of flammables can give off sufficient vapors to bum, eg, a 30 vol % solution of ethyl alcohol in water (60 proof) has a flash point which is only 16.6°C above that of pure ethyl alcohol (29.4°C vs 12.8°C). 

Pa-s (45 P) flash point, 11°C crystallization temperature, 7°C miscible in alcohols inmiscible in hydrocarbons. 

The amyl alcohols are readily flammable substances / fZ-amyl alcohol is the most flammable (closed cup flash point, 19 °C). Their vapors can form explosive mixtures with air (Table 6) (5,139—147). 

Like brines, alcohols were readily available and widely used as antifreeze Hquids in the early 1900s. Both methanol and ethanol offer exceUent heat transfer and efficient freeze point depression. However, the alcohols have the distinct disadvantage of their low boiling points. During the summer months when the engines operate hot, significant amounts of the alcohols are lost because of evaporation. These evaporative losses result in cosdy make-up requirements. Additionally, the alcohols have very low flash points and potentially flammable vapors. These safety concerns have, particularly in recent years, caused the use of alcohols to be completely discontinued for most heat-transfer systems. 

Benzyl chloride [(chloromethyl)henzene, a-chlorotoluene], CgH CH2Cl, is a colorless Hquid with a very pungent odor. Its vapors are irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes, and it is classified as a powerfljl lacrimator. The physical properties of pure benzyl chloride are given in Table 2 (2—7). Benzyl chloride is insoluble in cold water, but decomposes slowly in hot water to benzyl alcohol. It is miscible in all proportions at room temperature with most organic solvents. The flash point of benzyl chloride is 67°C (closed cup) 74°C (open cup) autoignition temperature is 585°C lower flammability limit 1.1% by volume in air. Its volume coefficient of expansion is 9.72 x. ... 

Benzotricbloride [(tricblorometbyl)benzene, a,a,a-trichlorotoluene, phenylchloroform], C H CCl, is a colorless, oily Hquid with a pungent odor. It is soluble in most organic solvents, but it reacts with water and alcohol. For ben zotricbl oride the flash point is 127°C (Cleveland open cup) and the autoignition temperature is 211°C (8). 

Commercial ethyl alcohol is shipped in railroad tank cars, tank tmcks, 208-L (55-gal) and 19-L (5-gal) dmms, and in smaller glass or metal containers having capacities of 0.473 L (one pint), 0.946 L (one quart), 3.785 L (one U.S. gal), or 4.545 L (one Imperial gal). The 208-L dmms may be of the unlined iron type. If a guarantee of more meticulous quaUty is desired, the dmms may be lined with phenoHc resin. AH containers, of course, must comply with the specifications of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Both 190 proof and 200 proof ethyl alcohol are considered red label (flammable) materials by the DOT, as both have flash points below 37.8°C by the Tag closed-cup method. 

Ethyl alcohol is a flammable Hquid requiring a red label by the DOT and Coast Guard shipping classifications its flash point is 14°C (Tag, closed cup). Vapor concentrations between 3.3 and 19.0% by volume in air are explosive. Liquid ethyl alcohol can react vigorously with oxidi2ing materials. Ethyl alcohol has found wide appHcation in industry, and experience shows that it is not a serious industrial poison (273—275). If proper ventilation of the work environment is maintained, there is Httle likelihood that inhalation of the vapor will be ha2ardous. 

Nature produces a tremendous amount of methyl aleohol, simply by the fermentation of wood, grass, and other materials made to some degree of eellulose. In faet, methyl aleohol is known as wood aleohol, along with names sueh as wood spirits and methanol (its proper name the proper names of all aleohols end in -ol). Methyl aleohol is a eolorless liquid with a eharaeteristie aleohol odor. It has a flash point of 54°F, and is highly toxie. It has too many eommereial uses to list here, but among them are as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol (the addition of the toxie ehemieal methyl aleohol to ethyl aleohol in order to form denatured aleohol), antifreezes, gasoline additives, and solvents. No further substitution of hydroxyl radieals is performed on methyl aleohol. 

The most widely known aleohol is ethyl aleohol, simply beeause it is the aleohol in aleoholie drinks. It is also known as grain aleohol, or by its proper name, ethanol. Ethyl aleohol is a eolorless, volatile liquid with a eharaeteristie odor and a pungent taste. It has a flash point of 55°F, is classified as a depressant drug, and is toxic when ingested in large quantities. Its molecular formula is CjHjOH. In addition to its presence in alcoholic beverages, ethyl alcohol has many industrial and medical uses, such as a solvent in many manufacturing processes, as antifreeze, antiseptics, and cosmetics. 

The substitution of one hydroxyl radical for a hydrogen atom in propane produces propyl alcohol, or propanol, which has several uses. Its molecular formula is C3H7OH. Propyl alcohol has a flash point of 77°F and, like all the alcohols, bums with a pale blue flame. More commonly known is the isomer of propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol. Since it is an isomer, it has the same molecular formula as propyl alcohol but a different structural formula. Isopropyl alcohol has a flash point of 53 F. Its ignition temperamre is 850°F, while propyl alcohol s ignition temperature is 700 F, another effect of the different stmcture. Isopropyl alcohol, or 2-propanol (its proper name) is used in the manufacture of many different chemicals, but is best known as rubbing alcohol. 

Whenever a hydrocarbon backbone has two hydroxyl radicals attached to it, it becomes a special type of alcohol known as a glycol. The simplest of the glycols, and the most important, is ethylene glycol, whose molecular formula C2H4(OH)2. The molecular formula can also be written CHjOHCHjOH and may be printed as such on some labels. Ethylene glycol is a colorless, thick liquid with a sweet taste, is toxic by ingestion and by inhalation, and among its many uses is a permanent antifreeze and coolant for automobiles. It is a combustible liquid with a flash point of 240"F. 

Fire Hazards - Flash Point (deg. F) 220 OC, 213 CC Flammable Limits in Air (%) No data Fire Extinguishing Agents Alcohol foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used Water or foam may cause foaming Special Hazards of Combustion Products No data Behavior in Fire No data Ignition Temperature (deg. F) 817 Electrical Hazard No data Burning Rate 3.74 mm/min. 

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