Chlorine hazards liquid form

In gaseous form chlorine is extremely hazardous. Liquid chlorine is shipped in pressurised steel cylinders. One volume of liquid chlorine yields about 450 times vapour volume. Because of safety concerns liquid chlorine compounds such as sodium hypochlorite are used instead. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is handled in liquid form at concentrations between 5 and 15% available chlorine. Calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)2] contains about 70% available chlorine. 

Attenuation Another alternative to intensification is attenuation, using a hazardous material under the least hazardous conditions. Thus large quantities of liquefied chlorine, ammonia, and petroleum gas can be stored as refrigerated liquids at atmospheric pressure instead of storing them under pressure at ambient temperature. (Leaks from the refrigeration eqmpment should also be considered, so there is probably no net gain in refrigerating quantities less than a few hundred tons.) Dyestuffs which form explosive dusts can be handled as slurries. 

From time to time, railroad tank cars are involved in accidents that will leak liquid or gaseous chlorine that, when escaping into the air, forms toxic chlorine compounds. This is extremely dangerous, both as a fire hazard and for human health. When water is used to flush away the escaping chlorine, it may end up as hydrochloric acid, which can be hazardous to the water supply and to aquatic life. 

The liquid alloy gives mixtures with halocarbons even more shock-sensitive than those with potassium. Highly chlorinated methane derivatives are more reactive than those of ethane, often exploding spontaneously after a delay [1]. Contact of 1,1,1-trichloroethane with a trapped alloy residue in a valve caused an explosion [2], It is to be expected that chlorofluorocarbons will also form hazardous mixtures in view of their reactivity with barium. Precautionary measures for demonstrating the explosion of the alloy with chloroform are detailed [3]. Addition of 2 drops of 1,1,2-trichloro-trifluoroethane to the alloy caused a violent explosion [4],... 

Flammable liquid. A dangerous fire hazard if exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Moderately explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to flame. Violent reaction with Al, N2O4, NH3, dimethylaminopropylamine. Can react vigorously with oxidizing materials and emit vinyl chloride and HCl. To fight fire, use water, foam, CO2, dry chemicals. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of Cl and phosgene. See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, ALIPHATIC. 

Khattak, M. A., Engineering Horizons (Pakistan), 1991, (Aug.), 33 Chlorine reacts with ammonia and compounds to form the treacherously explosive nitrogen trichloride. A change was made to ammonia as refrigerant in the production of liquid chlorine some months later minor explosions when transferring the chlorine culminated in several fatahties when the delivery pipe, in which the less volatile trichloride had presumably concentrated by partial evaporation of chlorine, shattered. Fiuther explosions were experienced while decontaminating the plant. See Preparative hazard, above... 

SULFUROUS OXIDE (7446-09-5) SO, Noncombustible liquefied gas under pressure or liquid. Contact with air forms hydrogen chloride fumes. Violent reaction with water or steam, forming sulfurous acid, a medium-strong acid and corrosion hazard. Reacts violently with acetylene, acrolein, alcohols, aluminum powder alkali metals (i.e., potassium, sodium) amines, ammonia, bromine pentafluoride butadiene caustics, cesium acetylene carbide chlorates, chlorine trifluoride chromium powder copper or copper alloy powders chlorine, diethylzinc, fluorine, ethylene oxide lead dioxide lithium acetylene carbide diamino-, metal powders monolithium acetylide-ammonia nitryl chloride potassium acetylene carbide potassium acetylide, potassium chlorate rubidium carbide silver azide sodium acetylide staimous oxide. Decon oses in... 

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