Sheet explosives

Applies to substances which react violently with the other substance(s) listed (with risk of fire/explosion). Sheets for substances with a low autignition point also bear a warning regarding contact with hot surfaces. 

The following alternative procedure is recommended and it possesses the advantage that the same tube may be used for many sodium fusions. Support a Pyrex test tube (150 X 12 mm.) vertically in a clamp lined with asbestos cloth or with sheet cork. Place a cube (ca. 4 mm. side = 0 04 g.) of freshly cut sodium in the tube and heat the latter imtil the sodium vapour rises 4 5 cm. in the test-tube. Drop a small amount (about 0-05 g.) of the substance, preferably portionwise, directly into the sodium vapour CAUTION there may be a slight explosion) then heat the tube to redness for about 1 minute. Allow the test tube to cool, add 3-4 ml. of methyl alcohol to decompose any unreacted sodium, then halffill the tube with distilled water and boil gently for a few minutes. Filter and use the clear, colourless filtrate for the various tests detailed below. Keep the test-tube for sodium fusions it will usually become discoloured and should be cleaned from time to time with a little scouring powder. 

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. 

Pentaerythritol tetranitrate is a high energy explosive that is used as a pressed base charge in blasting caps and detonators, as the core explosive in commercial detonating cord, and as the main explosive ingredient in sheet explosives. It is also mixed in various proportions with TNT to form the less sensitive pentoHtes, eg, PETN 50/TNT 50. PETN is easily initiated, its responses are reproducible, and it is readily available (144—146). 

Multilayered composite sheets and plates can be bonded in a single explosion, and cladding of both sides of a backing metal can be achieved simultaneously. When two sides are clad, the two prime or clad metals need not be of the same thickness nor of the same metal or alloy. 

Explosion-bonded metals are produced by several manufacturers in the United States, Europe, and Japan. The chemical industry is the principal consumer of explosion-bonded metals which are used in the constmction of clad reaction vessels and heat-exchanger tube sheets for corrosion-resistant service. The primary market segments for explosion-bonded metals are for corrosion-resistant pressure vessels, tube sheets for heat exchangers, electrical transition joints, and stmctural transition joints. Total world markets for explosion-clad metals are estimated to fluctuate between 30 x 10 to 60 x 10 annually. 

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.

Manufacturers of benzene are requited by federal law to pubHsh Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) that describe in detail the procedures for its safe handling. Benzene is classified as a flammable Hquid and should be stored away from any potential source of ignition. Fine and explosion hazard data for benzene are shown (91). 

EMEC 1980. Process Control House and Other Structures Subject to External Explosion Damage. Eoss Prevention Data Sheet No. 7-45S. Eactory Mutual Engineering Corporation, Norwood, MA. 

Compression ignition engine Designed, constructed and equipped to protect explosive from external hazards and weather Closed or securely sheeted Trailers to be adequately braked or restrained upon detachment from towing vehicle... 

Restriction on the classification of explosive that can be transported and how, including the need for sheet steel spark-guards for carnage of certain explosives. 

Tools are available to assist in comparing the risk associated with two or more different processes. For example, the first sheet of the Dow Fire and Explosion Index (FEI) (Dow, 1994b) ranks the safety characteristics of the process from a fire/explosion standpoint, without taking credit for protective and mitigation features. The Dow Chemical Exposure Index (CEI) (Dow, 1994a) and Id s Mond Index (ICI, 1985 Tyler, 1985) are other ranking tools. 

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. 

This case study concerns the events leading up to the hydrocarbon explosion which was the starting point for the Piper Alpha offshore disaster. It describes the investigation of the incident using the sequentially timed events plotting (STEP) technique. Based on the STEP work sheet developed, the critical events involved in the incident are identified and analyzed in order to identify their root causes. 

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