Flammability, of hydrocarbons

F. E. Belles and C. C. Swett, Ignition and Flammability of Hydrocarbon Fuels, Chapter III of Basic Considerations in the Combustion of Hydrocarbon Fuels with Air, NACA Rept. No. 1300 (1959), 277-318. 

In the second half of the last century, concerns about flammability of hydrocarbons led to their replacement with non-flammable (Box 1.1) (supposedly ) "safer" alternatives ... 

Control Room. The control room location can be critical to the efficient operation of a faciHty. One prime concern is to locate it the maximum distance from the most ha2ardous units. These units are usually the units where LPG or other flammables, eg, hydrocarbons that are heavier than air, can be released and accumulate at grade level. Deadly explosions can occur if a pump seal on a light-ends system fails and the heavier-than-air hydrocarbons coUect and are ignited by a flammable source. Also, the sulfur recovery unit area should be kept at a healthy distance away as an upset can cause deadly fumes to accumulate. 

The environmental concerns associated with the use of toluene, a toxic and flammable aromatic hydrocarbon, as a gravure ink solvent must be addressed. Whereas ink manufacturers are working on the development of water-based inks, the slow drying times and poor printing quaUties of the prototype products have impeded commercia1i2ation. Furthermore, the high cost of these materials is seen as a barrier to their introduction. 

Trichloroethylene is a colourless non-flammable chlorinated hydrocarbon liquid. It is mainly used for degreasing of metals in the engineering and electrical appliance industries other outlets are as a solvent in inks, in dry-cleaning, in varnishes and adhesives, and as a solvent in the extraction of fats and oils. Relevant physical properties are given in Table 5.51. 

A reactor was prepared for maintenance and washed out. No welding needed to be done, and no entry was required, so it was decided not to slip-plate off the reactor but to rely on valve isolations. Some flammable vapor leaked through the closed valves into the reactor and was ignited by a high-speed abrasive wheel, which was being used to cut through one of the pipelines attached to the vessel. The reactor head was blown off and killed two men. It was estimated that 7 kg of hydrocarbon vapor could have caused the explosion. 

C2EL1, a colourless flammable gas first stable member of the olefin series of hydrocarbons. Ethylene-Acrylic Terpolymer... 

H2, hydrogen, is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, nonpolar, diamagnetic, diatomic gas with the lowest atomic weight and density of any known substance. It has low solubility in water and is very flammable. Hydrogen is prepared by reactions of metals with water, steam or various acids, electrolysis of water, the water gas reaction and thermal cracking of hydrocarbons. It combines with metals and nonmetals to form hydrides. 

As another case study a process synthesis of an emulsion polymerization process is given (Hurme and Heikkila, 1998). In emulsion polymerization unsaturated monomers or their solutions are dispersed in a continuous phase with the aid of an emulsifier and polymerized. The product is a dispersion of polymers and called a latex. The raw materials are highly flammable unsaturated hydrocarbons and the reaction is exothermic which both cause a risk. The main phases and systems in an emulsion polymerization plant are listed in Table 31. 

Methane, also referred to as marsh gas, is a gas composed of carbon and hydrogen with a chemical formula of CH4. It is the first member of the paraffin or alkane series of hydrocarbons. It is lighter than air, colorless, odorless, tasteless and is flammable. It occurs in natural gas and as a by-product of petroleum refining. In atmospheric burning no smoke production normally occurs. In air methane bums with a pale, faintly luminous flame. With excess air carbon dioxide and water vapor is formed during combustion, with an air deficiency carbon monoxide and water is formed. It forms an explosive mixture with air over a moderate range. Its primary uses are as a fuel and raw feedstock for petrochemical products. 

Industry literature typically cites concern with open air explosions when 4,536 kgs (10,000 lbs.) or more of flammable gas is released, however, open air explosions at lower amounts of materials are not unheard of. When the release quantity is less than 4,536 kgs (10,000 lbs.), a flash fire is usually the result. The resulting fire or explosion damage can cripple a hydrocarbon processing facility. Extreme care must be taken to prevent the release of hydrocarbon from vessels resulting in vapor releases and resultant blast overpressure. Measures such as hydrotesting, weld inspections, pressure control valves, adequate pressure safety valves, etc., should all be prudently applied. 

Gas A state of matter defined as a fluid with a vapor pressure exceeding 40 psia at 100° F. Gasolines Mixture of volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbons used in internal combustion engines. Typical flash point temperature is around -40 °C. 

Naphtha Various volatile and often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used as solvents and diluents consists mainly of hydrocarbons with higher boiling point than gasolines and lower boiling point than kerosene principal component of chemical dispersants used prior to 1970. Naphthenes Class of hydrocarbons with similar physical and chemical properties to alkanes insoluble in water, generally boil at 10-20°C higher than corresponding carbon number alkanes. Narcosis Stupor or unconsciousness produced by chemical substances. 

Propylene is a colorless, flammable gas that follows ethylene as the second simplest alkene hydrocarbon. It has an odor similar to garlic and has wide use in the chemical industry as an intermediate in the synthesis of other derivatives such as polypropylene, propylene oxide, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and acrylonitrile. The production of propylene is similar to ethylene and is obtained through steam cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks. Steam cracking is a process used to break molecules into smaller molecules by injecting the catalysts with steam. 

Toluene is a clear, flammable, aromatic hydrocarbon liquid with a smell similar to benzene. It is also called methylbenzene, indicating that a methyl group has been added to one of benzenes carbon atoms. Toluene was first isolated by Pierre-Joseph Pelletier (1788—1842) and Philippe Walter (1810—1847) in 1837. The name toluene comes from the South American tree Toluifera balsamum. Henri-Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville (1818—1881) isolated toluene from the tree s gum, Tolu balsam, in 1841. 

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