Halogenated solvents flammability

The utility of carbon dioxide as a replacement for halogenated solvents has long been recognised. CO is an ideal solvent that is non-toxic, non-flammable, safe to work with and reusable. 

Hydrocarbon (or petroleum) solvents are also used for dry cleaning. From the original Stoddard solvent to Exxon s latest DF 2000 offering, the main drawback has been the fuel potential of hydrocarbon solvents. It was the flammability of Stoddard solvent that turned the industry away from petroleum solvents to the nonflammable halogenated solvents, such as perc, in the first place. Other barriers to the widespread use of petroleum arise over zoning restrictions, taxation, and inevitable regulation related to its use. 

Wear PVA or Viton gloves,18 laboratory coat, and eye protection. Avoid breathing vapor. Recycle by distillation (in a fume hood) or place waste in halogenated solvent-disposal container for disposal by burning. Dissolve the compound in a nonchlorinated flammable solvent and spray into a furnace with afterburner and scrubber.20,21... 

Solvents Most are extremely flammable Benzene, halogenated solvents are toxic... 

Flammable soM, igniting in moist air. Rapid addition in bulk amount into halogenated solvents may cause an explosion. Reaction with arsenic pentafluoride in benzene can result in explosion (Kolditz 1965). 

Halogenated solvents n. The solvents containing halogen (usually chlorine) have improved solvency compared with the hydrocarbons from which they are derived and in addition flammability is reduced. Some of these are highly toxic, and precautions must be taken to avoid inhalation of their vapors. 

Although briefly discussed in Section 8.1.1, the quantity of flammable organic liquids and solvents used in organic labs and other advanced labs often greatly exceeds the amounts used in introductory courses. Thus, the likelihood of a Class B fire is greater in organic labs. (See Chemical Connection 2.2.1.1 Hammability of Halogenated Solvents and Halons.)... 

The issue of supposed non-flammability of most halogenated solvents is explained with peer-reviewed data in Ref. 1, Chapter 3, Section 3.4, pages 100 to 115, especially Table 3.9. 

Explosible dusts can also be changed into mixtures which are no longer explosible by the addition of inert dusts (e.g., rock salt, sodium sulrate). In general, inert dust additions of more than 50 wt % are necessary here. It is also possible to replace flammable solvents and cleaning agents by nonflammable halogenated hydrocarbons or water, or flammable pressure transmission fluids by halocarbon oils. 

Earthquakes provide the ultimate test of the storage of incompatible chemicals and are sometimes followed by fires in chemical stores. Very few causes of ignition are found alkali metals halogen oxysalts in conjunction with strong acids and sulphuric or nitric acid and cellulose (wood flooring). These usually then ignite vapours of flammable solvents. 

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