Explosive Mixture

For olefins, the limits are greater by about 30%. At ambient temperatures, heavy materials have a vapor pressure too low to cause an explosive mixture with air. 

Carbon disulphide is a volatile, evil-smelling liquid, although if carefully purified, the unpleasant smell is removed, as it is due to impurity. The vapour is inflammable and can form explosive mixtures in air ... 

Carbon disulphide should never be used if any alternative solvent is available, as it has a dangerously low flash-point, and its vapours form exceedingly explosive mixtures with air. Ether as a solvent for recrystallisation is much safer than carbon disulphide, but again should be avoided whenever possible, partly on account of the danger of fires, and partly because the filtered solution tends to creep up the walls of the containing vessel and there deposit solid matter by complete evaporation instead of preferential crystallisation. 

This preparation is an example of the use of di-M-butyl ether as a solvent in the Grignard reaction. The advantages are it is comparatively inexpensive, it can be handled without excessive loss due to evaporation, simple distillation gives an ether free from moisture and alcohol, and the vapour does not form explosive mixtures with air. n-Butyl ether cannot, of course, be employed when the boiling point of the neutral reaction product is close to 140°. 

May form explosive mixtures when contacting organic material. Explosive C2H2 formed. Slow in drying action. H2 formed. Used as column drying of organic liquids. - Strong reductant. 

Acrylonitrile is combustible and ignites readily, producing toxic combustion products such as hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. It forms explosive mixtures with air and must be handled in weU-ventilated areas and kept away from any source of ignition, since the vapor can spread to distant ignition sources and flash back. 

Table 14. Properties of Explosive Mixtures Based on Ternary Systems Containing TNT and Aluminum ...

In the absence of air, TEE disproportionates violently to give carbon and carbon tetrafluoride the same amount of energy is generated as in black powder explosions. This type of decomposition is initiated thermally and equipment hot spots must be avoided. The flammability limits of TEE are 14—43% it bums when mixed with air and forms explosive mixtures with air and oxygen. It can be stored in steel cylinders under controlled conditions inhibited with a suitable stabilizer. The oxygen content of the vapor phase should not exceed 10 ppm. Although TEE is nontoxic, it may be contaminated by highly toxic fluorocarbon compounds. 

There are, however, a variety of other sources of methane that have been considered for fuel supply. Eor example, methane present in coal (qv) deposits and formed during mining operations can form explosive mixtures known as fire damp. In Western Europe, some methane has been recovered by suction from bore holes drilled in coal beds and the U.S. Bureau of Mines has tested the economic practicaUty of such a system. Removal of methane prior to mining the coal would reduce explosion ha2ards associated with coal removal. As much as 11.3 x 10 (400 trillion (10 ) cubic feet or 400 TCE) of... 

Properties of other higher a-olefins and those of some commercially significant cycloolefins are given in Table 2. These monomers are fiquids at ambient temperature and pressure. They are highly combustible and can form explosive mixtures with air. The primary health hazards presented by these monomers are associated with inhalation or prolonged skin contact that can cause irritation. 

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. 

Combustion. The burning of soHd, Hquid, and gaseous fuels as a source of energy is very common. Using sufficient and reHable combustion controls, this process seldom causes serious problems. However, some combustion processes are deHberately carried out with an inadequate oxygen supply in order to obtain products of incomplete combustion. Explosive mixtures sometimes occur, and then flashback is a serious problem. 

Generally, it is more economical to prevent explosive atmospheres ia rooms than to try to provide explosion-proof electrical equipment. Personnel should never be allowed to work ia a ha2ardous atmosphere. Where such an atmosphere cannot be avoided through control of flammable Hquids, gases, and dusts, access to the area iavolved should be limited and the area segregated by hoods or special ventilation. Electrical equipment on open, outdoor stmctures more than 8 m above-ground usually is considered free from exposure to more than temporary, local explosive mixtures near leaks (86). 

The areas for the reactors and storage tanks should be separated by fire walls, and must be adequately ventilated. Storage tanks should be blanketed by inert gas. A slight positive pressure of inert gas should be maintained in the reactor or storage tanks during the discharging of the resin or resin solution to prevent air from being sucked into the vessel to form an explosive mixture with the solvent vapor. 

The amyl alcohols are readily flammable substances / fZ-amyl alcohol is the most flammable (closed cup flash point, 19 °C). Their vapors can form explosive mixtures with air (Table 6) (5,139—147). 

AH gas-fired power plants require oxygen analy2ers to ensure that air has not been drawn into the piping system. Oxygen intake can lead to the presence of an explosive mixture in the pipeline before the fuel reaches the burner or combustor 2one. When gas-fired units are located in an enclosed area, multiple ultraviolet flame detectors are used to shut down equipment and flood the area with CO2 or a chemical fire suppressant whenever a spark or flame is detected. 

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