Industrial explosion hazards

The electrochemical process industries are confronted with a wide range of hazards. These include electrical hazards, various explosion hazards, and the hazards associated with exposure to reactive chemicals. 

Baker, W. E. et af 1983. Explosion Hazards and Evaluation. Elsevier, New York, NY. Bodurtha, E. T. 1980. Industrial Explosion Prevention and Protection. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY... 

Lee, J. H. S, Knystautas, R., and Goroshm, S. 1996. The Testing of Detonation Arresters. Proc. Inti. Symp. On Hazards Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, pp. 7.27-7.40. Christian Michelsen Research AS, Bergen, Norway. 

Occupational Diseases and Hazards in Explosives and Ammunition Plants. See under Industrial Hygiene in Vol 7,193-R... 

It is reported that an industrial explosion was initiated by charging potassium hydroxide in place of potassium carbonate to the chloro-nitro compound in the sulfoxide [1], Dry potassium carbonate is a useful base for nucleophilic displacement of chlorine in such systems, reaction being controlled by addition of the nucleophile. The carbonate is not soluble in DMSO and possesses no significant nucleophilic activity itself. Hydroxides have, to create phenoxide salts as the first product. These are better nucleophiles than their progenitor, and also base-destabilised nitro compounds. Result heat and probable loss of control. As it nears its boiling point DMSO also becomes susceptible to exothermic breakdown, initially to methanethiol and formaldehyde. Methanethiolate is an even better nucleophile than a phenoxide and also a fairly proficient reducer of nitro-groups, while formaldehyde condenses with phenols under base catalysis in a reaction which has itself caused many an industrial runaway and explosion. There is thus a choice of routes to disaster. Industrial scale nucleophilic substitution on chloro-nitroaromatics has previously demonstrated considerable hazard in presence of water or hydroxide, even in solvents not themselves prone to exothermic decomposition [2],... 

Explosion suppression is used for the protection of extremely hazardous systems in industry. Explosions that develop very high radial flame speeds (such as hydrogen-oxygen) are too fast for existing equipment. Many detonations (ultrasonic) also develop from an initial deflagration. It is possible... 

The monomer has been involved in several industrial explosions. It is a storage hazard above 32°C. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to flame, heat, or oxidants. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. Reacts with... 

United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Federal Register Volume 57 Number 36 pgs 6356-6417,29 CFR Part 1910.119 Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Explosives and Blasting Agents, Pinal Rule. Washington, DC, February 1992. Keenan, Tom. "Process Safety Report Card." Chilton s Industrial Safety and Hygiene News. September 1994, pp. 19-20. 

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established a voluntary standard for chemical labeling, ANSI Z129.11994, Hazardous Industrial Chemical Precautionary Labeling, which includes readily identifiable symbols for poisons, corrosives, flammables, and explosives. Irritants, combustible liquids, pyrophoric chemicals, oxidizers, sensitizers, physiologically inert vapors, gases and other hazardous materials are also addressed. 

Small quantities of PCDDs are produced as by-products of the industrial manufacture of chlorinated phenolic chemicals and pesticides. They are especially hazardous environmental pollutants, since they have carcinogenic and teratogenic properties. Their release in 1976 in an industrial explosion at Seveso, Italy was implicated in the widespread poisoning of livestock and contamination of the local population. 

HAZARD RISK Combustible when exposed to heat or flame industrial explosions common potentially explosive reaction with hydrogen peroxide unpredictably violent decomposition emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides NFPA Code not available. 

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