Explosion information

C. Organization of Chemical Reactivity, Fire and Explosion Information... 

A number of methods that provide information about the structure of a solid surface, its composition, and the oxidation states present have come into use. The recent explosion of activity in scanning probe microscopy has resulted in investigation of a wide variety of surface structures under a range of conditions. In addition, spectroscopic interrogation of the solid-high-vacuum interface elucidates structure and other atomic processes. 

Chemical safety data sheets for individual compounds should be consulted for detailed information. Precautions for the higher aldehydes are essentially those for most other reactive organic compounds, and should include adequate ventilation in areas where high exposures are expected fire and explosion precautions and proper instmction of employees in use of respiratory, eye, and skin protection. 

Annual Proceedings of the Safety Seminars, Dept, of Defense, Explosive Safety Board, Washington, D.C. International symposia on explosives and closely related subjects are excellent sources of information, ie, international symposia on detonation symposia on combustion symposia on chemical problems connected with the stabiUty of explosives international pyrotechnics seminars symposia on compatibiUty of plastics and other materials with explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics, and processing of explosives, propellants, and ingredients and symposia on explosives and pyrotechnics Mineral Industy Surveys, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa. Periodic pubhcations dedicated primarily to explosive studies in Propellants and Explosives Journal of Ha yardous Materials, and apparent consumption of industrial explosives and blasting agents in the United States. 

B. T. Federoff, O. E. Sheffield, and S. Kaye, eds.. The Enyclopedia of Explosives and Pelateditems, PATR 2700, Vols. 1—10, ARDEC, Dover, N.J. This provides a very wide variety of information. 

Sources of information on the testing evaluation and properties of explosives include the following ... 

Heterocyclics. One of the most characteristic and useful properties of hydrazine and its derivatives is the ability to form heterocycHc compounds. Numerous pharmaceuticals, pesticides, explosives, and dyes are based on these rings. A review of the appHcation of hydrazine in the synthesis of heterocychcs is available (91). For further information in the field of heterocycHc chemistry, see the General References. 

The literature of chemistry and associated fields has iacreased enormously siace 1980. Kstahlishment of subspecialties and newly defined disciplines as well as iacreased research output have led to an explosion of journals, books, and on-line databases, all of which attempt to capture, record, and disseminate this plethora of knowledge (1). Tertiary reference tools ia chemistry and technology (eg, KJrk-Othmer, 4th ed.) help track the primary Hterature. Excellent references that discuss basic chemical information tools are The Titerature Matrix of Chemistry (1), Chemical Information Sources (2), and Mow to Find Chemical Information (3). 

Isophthahc acid dust forms explosive mixtures with air at certain concentrations. These concentrations and other information on burning and explosiveness of isophthahc acid dust clouds are given in Table 27 (40,41). Fires can be extinguished with dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water or water fog, or foam. 

Pb as the vessel burst pressure in bars. Other sources are Baker Explosion Hazards and Evaluation, Elsevier, 1983, p. 492) and Chemical Propulsion Information Agency Hazards of Chemical Rockets and Propellants Handbook, voT. 1 NTIS, Virginia, May 1972, pp. 2-56, 2-60). 

Many sophisticated models and correlations have been developed for consequence analysis. Millions of dollars have been spent researching the effects of exposure to toxic materials on the health of animals the effects are extrapolated to predict effects on human health. A considerable empirical database exists on the effects of fires and explosions on structures and equipment. And large, sophisticated experiments are sometimes performed to validate computer algorithms for predicting the atmospheric dispersion of toxic materials. All of these resources can be used to help predict the consequences of accidents. But, you should only perform those consequence analysis steps needed to provide the information required for decision making. 

Testing conditions are not as constrained as for catalysts in an existing production unit, but other conditions may set some limits, like explosive range, start of a homogeneous reaction, corrosion, polymerization, etc. Literature should be searched for this limitation, in addition to other information on the main reaction. Literature gives much more information if interest is not limited to the main reaction but is extended to analogous processes as well. 

Information about the current generated and the resistivity of the particular hydrocarbon pumped is essential in order to calculate the voltage difference. This subsequently shows us whether the danger exists of selfignition or explosion in any particular case. 

Flammability information Flash point Fire point Flammable limits (LEL, UEL) Ignition temperature Spontaneous heating Toxic thermal degradation products Vapour pressure Dielectric constant Electrical resistivity Electrical group Explosion properties of dust in a fire... 

Reactivity (instability) information Acceleration rate calorimetry Differential thermal analysis (DTA) Impact test Thermal stability Lead block test Explosion propagation with detonation Drop weight test Thermal decomposition test Influence test Self-acceleration temperature Card gap test (under confinement) JANAE Critical diameter Pyrophoricity... 

There are many excellent textbooks on the subject of distillation, however with the explosion of information on the World Wide Web, process engineers can now gain almost instant access to calculation methods and model simulations which will walk the engineer through the important design steps. The following Web sites are recommended to be reviewed and accessed by the reader. 

The ineident eommander may rely on visual observation of plae-ards, labels, and manifests and information gathered during the response. Obtaining air measurements with monitoring equipment for toxie eon-eentrations of vapors, partieulates, explosive potential, and the possibility of radiation exposure is important for determining the nature, degree, and extent of the hazards [2]. 

The information to be compiled about the chemicals, including process intermediates, needs to be comprehensive enough for an accurate assessment of the fire and explosion characteristics, reactivity hazards, the safety and health hazards to workers, and the corrosion and erosion effects on the process equipment and monitoring tools. Current material safety data sheet (MSDS) information can be used to help meet this requirement but must be supplemented with process chemistry information, including runaway reaction and over-pressure hazards, if applicable. 

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