Explosive Limits Flammability

In addition to their characteristic explosive limit, flammable chemicals are classified according to flashpoint, boiling point, and ignition temperature. Flashpoint (FP) is the lowest temperature at which a flammable liquid gives off sufficient vapor to ignite. Boiling point (BP) is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid vaporizes. 

The autoignition temperature is the minimum temperature required for self-sustained combustion in the absence of an external ignition source. The value depends on specified test conditions. Tht flammable (explosive) limits specify the range of concentration of the vapor in air (in percent by volume) for which a flame can propagate. Below the lower flammable limit, the gas mixture is too lean to burn above the flammable limit, the mixture is too rich. Additional compounds can be found in National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Protection Handbook, 14th ed., 1991. 

Substance Autoignition temperature, °C Flammable (explosive) limits, percent by volume of fuel (25°C, 760 mm) ... 

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. 

Isoprene is classified by the ICC as a flammable Hquid requiring a red label (124). Its flash point is —54°C with a lower explosive limit (LEL) of 1.5%... 

Diketene is a flammable Hquid with a flash point of 33°C and an autoignition temperature of 275°C. It decomposes rapidly above 98°C with slow decomposition occurring even at RT. The vapors are denser than air (relative density 2.9, air air = 1). The explosive limits in air are 2—11.7 vol % (135). In case of fire, water mist, light and stabilized foam, as well as powder of the potassium or ammonium sulfate-type should be used. Do not use basic extinguisher powders and do not add water to a closed container. 

Health and Safety Factors, Toxicology. Because low molecular weight phosphines generally are spontaneously flammable, they must be stored and handled in an inert atmosphere. The upper explosion limit is 1.6% and the upper limit is near 100% (93). The higher and less volatile homologues are more slowly oxidized by air and present less of a problem. 

The lower flammable limit (LEL) or lower explosive limit (LEL) is the minimum concentration of vapor in air below which a flame is not propagated when an ignition source is present (61—64). Below this concentration, the mixture is considered too lean to bum. The lower flammable limit and the flash point of a flammable Hquid are closely related by the Hquid s vapor pressure characteristics. 

Tables 16 and 17 Hst tke analytical test methods for different properties of interest. The Manufacturing Chemists Association, Inc. (MCA) has pubUshed the Chemical Safety Data Sheet SD 63, which describes in detail procedures for safe handling of use of toluene (46). The Interstate Commerce Commission classifies toluene as a flammable Hquid. Accordingly, it must be packaged in authorized containers, and shipping must comply with ICC regulations. Properties related to safe handling are autoignition temperature, 536°C explosive limits, 1.27—7.0 vol % in air and flash point 4.4°C, closed cup.

Butylenes are not toxic. The effect of long-term exposure is not known, hence, they should be handled with care. Reference 96 Hsts air and water pollution factors and biological effects. They are volatile and asphyxiants. Care should be taken to avoid spills because they are extremely flammable. Physical handling requires adequate ventilation to prevent high concentrations of butylenes in the air. Explosive limits in air are 1.6 to 9.7% of butylenes. Their flash points range from —80 to —73° C. Their autoignition is around 324 to 465°C (Table 2). Water and carbon dioxide extinguishers can be used in case of fire. 

Some vent streams, such as light hydrocarbons, can be discharged directly to the atmosphere even though they are flammable and explosive. This can be done because the high-velocity discharge entrains sufficient air to lower the hydrocarbon concentration below the lower explosive limit (API RP 521, 1997). Toxic vapors must be sent to a flare or scrubber to render them harmless. Multiphase streams, such as those discharged as a result of a runaway reaction, for example, must first be routed to separation or containment equipment before final discharge to a flare or scrubber. 

For combustible dusts, the explosibility limits do not have the same meaning as with flammable gases and flammable vapors, owing to the interaction between dust layers and suspended dust. This protective measure can, for example, be used when dust deposits are avoided in operating areas or in the air stream of clean air lines after filter installations WTiere in normal operation the lower explosibility limit is not reached. However, dust deposits must be anticipated with time. When these dust deposits are whirled up in the air, an explosion hazard can arise. Such a hazard can be avoided by regular cleaning. The dust can be extracted directly at its point of origin by suitable ventilation measures. 

LEL (lower explosive, OR FLAMMABLE, LIMIT) The minimum eoneentration of a gas, vapour, mist or dust in air at a given pressure and temperature that will propagate a flame when exposed to an effieient ignition souree. Generally expressed as % by volume for gases and vapours, and as mg/m for mists or dusts. 

The need to remove all flammable material from the area should be considered. Where this is impractical, checks on its containment and inerting are necessary, together with environmental monitoring to ensure that atmospheric levels are well below the lower explosive limit (Figure 13.3). 

Flammable or Explosive Limits — the upper and lower vapor eoneentrations at whieh a mixture will bum or explode. The lower explosive limit of p-xylene is 1.1 pereent by volume in air, whereas the upper explosive limit is 7.0 percent in air. A mixture of p-xylene vapor and air having a coneentration of <1.1 pereent in air is too lean in p-xylene vapor to bum. Conversely, a mixture containing more than 7.0 percent is too rieh in p-xylene to bum. By subtraetion (7.0 - 1.1), p-.xylene is said to have a flammable range of 5.9. Materials having low explosive limits and wide flammable ranges are extremely dangerous. 

The volatile solvents recoverable by the activated carbon system or any other system are nearly all organic, and many of them form flammable or explosive mixtures with air. Such mixtures may lie between upper and lower explosive limits. The activated carbon system can avoid the explosive range by staying well below the lowest percentage of vapor which is still explosive it functions well at very low concentrations. The system also recovers solvents efficiently even in the presence of water the recovery efficiency is high (98 percent and 99 percent are not unusual) it may be fully automatic. The annual maintenance charge rarely exceeds 5 percent of the cost of equipment. The recovery expense may be as low as 0.2 cent per pound in some installations it rarely exceeds 1 cent per pound. 

Flammable Limits in Air - This is a concentration expressed as percent by volume of the chemical in air, whereby spontaneous combustion will be supported. The lowest concentration where combustion will be supported is known as the lower flammability limit (LFL) or lower explosion limit (LEL). LEL and LFL are considered interchangeable. The upper concentration limit is the UFL (Upper Flammability Limit) or UEL (Upper Explosion Limit). 

Explosivity limits for various pure components are given in Table 3. The limits of flammability ( concentration, C) for a mixture of gases can be computed from the following expression ... 

Let s now mm attention back to the flammability limit itself. When small increments of a combustible gas are successively mixed with air, a concentration is finally attained in which a flame will propagate if a source of ignition is present. This is referred to as the Lower Flammable Limit (LFL or lower explosion limit) of the gas in air. As further increments of the gas are added, a higher concentration of flammable gas in air will finally be attained in which... 

Hybrid mixture A suspension of dust in air/vapor. Such mixtures may be flammable below the lower explosive limit of the vapor and can be ignited by low energy sparks. 

Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) or Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) ... 

Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) or Upper Flammable Limit (UFL) ... 

LEL/LFL Lower Explosive Limit/Lower Flammable Limit... 

Among common areas where explosion can occur are coal mines, petrochemical plants, chemical plants, paint shops, grain handling industry, etc. Explosive limits for gases and vapors are expressed as percentages (% ), and may be defined as minimum and maximum concentrations of a flammable gas or vapor between which ignition occur. Concentrations below the lower explosive limit (LEL) are too lean to burn, while those above the upper explosive limit (UEL) are too rich. Table 7.8 lists explosive limits for some common gases. 

A liquid not considered flammable may still have an explosive potential. An example is dichloromethane or methylene chloride, often used in paint strippers, which evaporates very quickly. It is not flammable, but its vapors may be explosive (explosive limits 12% to 22%). 

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