Ethyl alcohol, flash-point

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). 

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. 

Some organic compounds can be in solution with water and the mixture may still be a flammable mixture. The vapors above these mixtures such as ethanol, methanol, or acetone can form flammable mixtures with air. Bodurtha [39] and Albaugh and Pratt [47] discuss the use of Raoult s law (activity coefficients) in evaluating the effects. Figures 7-52A and B illustrate the vapor-liquid data for ethyl alcohol and the flash point of various concentrations, the shaded area of flammability limits, and the UEL. Note that some of the plots are calculated and bear experimental data verification. 

Ethyl acetate (boiling point 77.1, density 0.9005, flash point -4°C) is manufactured from ethyl alcohol and acetic acid. 

Methyl alcohol (methanol, wood alcohol, CH3OH boiling point 64.7°C, density 0.7866, flash point 110°C) is a colorless, mobile liquid with a mild characteristic odor (and narcotic properties) that is miscible in all proportions with water, ethyl alcohol, or ether. When ignited, methyl alcohol burns in air with a pale blue, transparent flame, producing water and carbon dioxide. The vapor forms an explosive mixture with air. The upper explosive limit is 36.5% and the lower limit is 6.0% by volume in air. 

Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK boiling point 769.6°C, density 0.8062, flash point -6°C) is an important coating solvent for many polymers and is made by the sulfation and hydration of 1 or 2-butene to sec-butyl alcohol, which is then dehydrogenated to the ketone (Fig. 1). 

A flammable chemical substance is a solid, liquid, vapor, or gas that ignites easily and burns rapidly in air. Many of the flammable chemicals used in laboratories are flammable liquids and organic solvents. The vapors of these chemical substances form ignitable mixtures with air. Based on the flash points of these chemicals, classifications are made. The flash point of a chemical substance is defined as the lowest temperature at which a fuel-air mixture present above the surface of a liquid will ignite, if an ignition source is present. The common flammable chemical substances include, but are not restricted to, acetone, benzene, cyclohexane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, gasoline, hexane, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, propanol, tetrahydro-furan and toluene, and xylene. 

ACETIC ACID, ANHYDRIDE (108-24-7) C4H 03 Forms explosive mixtoe with air [explosion limits in air (vol %) 2.9 to 10.3 flash point 120°F/49°C autoignition temp 626°F/330°C Fire Rating 2]. Reacts violently with water, forming acetic acid and liberating a large amount of heat. Reacts violently with alcohols, forming ethyl acetate. Reacts violently with strong... 

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