Nickel contacts

It must be acknowledged, however, that the determination of the number of the different surface species which are formed during an adsorption process is often more difficult by means of calorimetry than by spectroscopic techniques. This may be phrased differently by saying that the resolution of spectra is usually better than the resolution of thermograms. Progress in data correction and analysis should probably improve the calorimetric results in that respect. The complex interactions with surface cations, anions, and defects which occur when carbon monoxide contacts nickel oxide at room temperature are thus revealed by the modifications of the infrared spectrum of the sample (75) but not by the differential heats of the CO-adsorption (76). Any modification of the nickel-oxide surface which alters its defect structure produces, however, a change of its energy spectrum with respect to carbon monoxide that is more clearly shown by heat-flow calorimetry (77) than by IR spectroscopy. 

About 727,000 workers were potentially exposed to nickel metal, nickel alloys, or nickel compounds during the period 1980--83. Worker exposure differs from that of the general population in that the major route of exposure for luckel workers is inhalation and for the general population it is dermal contact. Nickel workers with lung cancer had elevated concentrations of 1.97 mg/kg DW in their lungs when compared to the general population (0.03-0.15 mg/kg DW). Plasma concentrations of nickel quickly reflect current exposure history to nickel. Mean nickel concentrations in plasma of humans occupationally exposed to nickel have declined by about 50% since 1976, suggesting decreased exposure due to improved safety. 

Because of its carcinogenicity and flammabihty, nickel carbonyl should be handled using the "basic prudent practices" of Chapter 5.C supplemented by the additional precautions for work with compounds of high chronic toxicity (Chapter 5.D) and extremely flammable substances (Chapter 5.F). In particular, work with nickel carbonyl should be conducted in a fume hood to prevent exposure by inhalation and splash goggles and impermeable gloves should be worn at all times to prevent eye and skin contact. Nickel carbonyl should only be used in areas free of ignition sources. Containers of nickel carbonyl should be stored in secondary containers in the dark in areas separate from oxidizers. 

Only a limited number of materials are suitable for use in a bleach plant. Hypochlorite needs to be protected from contacting nickel, cobalt, copper, and alloys that contain these metals since enough of these metals can be adsorbed from piping and equipment to decrease stability. In addition, hypochlorite corrodes these and many other metals such as aluminum, tin, zinc, iron, and stainless steel. 

Solids materials that are insoluble in hydrocarbon or water can be entrained in the crude. These are called bottom sediments and comprise fine particles of sand, drilling mud, rock such as feldspar and gypsum, metals in the form of minerals or in their free state such as iron, copper, lead, nickel, and vanadium. The latter can come from pipeline erosion, storage tanks, valves and piping systems, etc. whatever comes in contact with the crude oil. 

Nickel carbonyl is volatile, has Htde odor, and is extremely toxic. Symptoms of dangerous exposure may not appear for several days. Effective medical treatment should be started immediately. The plant should be designed to ensure containment of nickel carbonyl and to prevent operator contact. 

Standard commercial iastmmentation and control devices are used ia fluorine systems. Pressure is measured usiag Bourdon-type gauges or pressure transducers. Stainless steel or Monel constmction is recommended for parts ia contact with fluoriae. Standard thermocouples are used for all fluorine temperature-measuriag equipment, such as the stainless-steel shielded type, iaserted through a threaded compression fitting welded iato the line. For high temperature service, nickel-shielded thermocouples should be used. 

A third group includes silver—nickel, silver—cadmium oxide, and silver—graphite combinations. These materials are characterized by low contact resistance, some resistance to arc erosion, and excellent non sticking characteristics. They can be considered intermediate in overall properties between silver alloys and silver or copper—refractory compositions. Silver—cadmium oxide compositions, the most popular of this class, have wide appHcation in aircraft relays, motor controllers, and line starters and controls. 

Eigure 11 illustrates the superior conductivity of P/M silver—nickel or silver—cadmium oxide contacts when compared with contacts made by standard melting techniques and formed from soHd-solution alloys. 

Copper and nickel can be alloyed with zinc to form nickel silvers. Nickel silvers are ductile, easily formed and machined, have good corrosion resistance, can be worked to provide a range of mechanical properties, and have an attractive white color. These alloys are used for ornamental purposes, as sHverplated and uncoated tableware and flatware in the electrical iadustry as contacts, connections, and springs and as many formed and machined parts (see Electrical connectors). 

Eye and Skin Contact. Some nickel salts and aqueous solutions of these salts, eg, the sulfate and chloride, may cause a primary irritant reaction of the eye and skin. The most common effect of dermal exposure to nickel is allergic contact dermatitis. Nickel dermatitis may occur in sensitized individuals following close and prolonged contact with nickel-containing solutions or metallic objects such as jewelry, particularly pierced earrings. It is estimated that 8—15% of the female human population and 0.2—2% of the male human population is nickel-sensitized (125). 

Although most nickel sensitization results from nonoccupational exposures, nickel dermatitis was historically a problem in workplaces where there was a high risk of continuous contact with soluble nickel, eg, in electroplating (qv) shops. Improved personal and industrial hygiene has largely eliminated this problem. However, there are a few occupations involving wet nickel work, particularly where detergents faciUtate the penetration of skin by nickel, where hand eczema may occur (126). 

Protective equipment and clothing such as face shields and gloves should be worn and safety showers should be available wherever there is a possibihty of being splashed or otherwise contacted by nickel-containing solutions. If dermatitis should occur, the possibiUty that it is nickel-related should be brought to the attention of a physician. 

In the catalytic steam reforming of natural gas (see Fig. 2), the hydrocarbon stream, principally methane, is desulfurized and, through the use of superheated steam (qv), contacts a nickel catalyst in the primary reformer at ca 3.04 MPa (30 atm) pressure and 800°C to convert methane to H2. 

Shell Higher Olefins Process (SHOP). In the Shell ethylene oligomerization process (7), a nickel ligand catalyst is dissolved in a solvent such as 1,4-butanediol (Eig. 4). Ethylene is oligomerized on the catalyst to form a-olefins. Because a-olefins have low solubiUty in the solvent, they form a second Hquid phase. Once formed, olefins can have Htfle further reaction because most of them are no longer in contact with the catalyst. Three continuously stirred reactors operate at ca 120°C and ca 14 MPa (140 atm). Reactor conditions and catalyst addition rates allow Shell to vary the carbon distribution. 

Dicyclohexylarnine may be selectively generated by reductive alkylation of cyclohexylamine by cyclohexanone (15). Stated batch reaction conditions are specifically 0.05—2.0% Pd or Pt catalyst, which is reusable, pressures of 400—700 kPa (55—100 psi), and temperatures of 75—100°C to give complete reduction in 4 h. Continuous vapor-phase amination selective to dicyclohexylarnine is claimed for cyclohexanone (16) or mixed cyclohexanone plus cyclohexanol (17) feeds. Conditions are 5—15 s contact time of <1 1 ammonia ketone, - 3 1 hydrogen ketone at 260°C over nickel on kieselguhr. With mixed feed the preferred conditions over a mixed copper chromite plus nickel catalyst are 18-s contact time at 250 °C with ammonia alkyl = 0.6 1 and hydrogen alkyl = 1 1. 

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