Hydrofluoric acid, safety

Fluorine, the most reactive element known, is a dangerous material but may be handled safely using proper precautions. In any situation where an operator may come into contact with low pressure fluorine, safety glasses, a neoprene coat, boots, and clean neoprene gloves should be worn to afford overall body protection. This protection is effective against both fluorine and the hydrofluoric acid which may form from reaction of moisture in the air. 

The reduction ia tetraethyl lead for gasoline production is expected to iacrease the demand for petroleum alkylate both ia the U.S. and abroad. Alkylate producers have a choice of either a hydrofluoric acid or sulfuric acid process. Both processes are widely used. However, concerns over the safety or potential regulation of hydrofluoric acid seem likely to convince more refiners to use the sulfuric acid process for future alkylate capacity. 

As a leader in fluorine technology, Honeywell Chemicals is committed to safety, customer satisfaction, the development of new technology, and the manufacture and supply of fluorochemicals worldwide. We are proud to be the world s largest producer of hydrofluoric acid and sulfur hexafluoride supplying customers globally. 

Alkad A process for improving the safety of alkylation processes using hydrofluoric acid as the catalyst. A proprietary additive curtails the emission of the acid aerosol that forms in the event of a leak. Based on observation of G. Olah in the early 1990s that liquid polyhydrogen fluoride complexes (of amines such as pyridine) depress the vapor pressure of HF above alkylation mixtures. Developed by UOP and Texaco and operated at Texaco s refinery at El Dorado, TX, since 1994. A competing process is ReVAP, developed by Phillips and Mobil. 

Event 3 Toxic Release (hydrofluoric acid vapor cloud)—Refinery. Marathon Refinery, Texas City, Texas (October 30, 1987). 4,000 people evacuated and more than 1,000 treated for injuries (Health and Safety Executive [UK] 2008a). 

Health and Safety Executive [UK] (HSE). 2008a. Release of hydrofluoric acid from Marathon Petroleum Refinery, Texas, USA. www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/casemarathon87.htm (accessed April 27, 2008). 

It is very important to first consider the safety aspects of electrochemical experiments with silicon. The single most dangerous compound, which cannot be avoided in the electrochemistry of silicon, is hydrofluoric acid (HF). HF in its anhydrous form and in concentrated aqueous solutions is highly corrosive towards living tissue. Inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with HF are all extremely hazardous. 

To protect against adverse effects from exposure to hydrofluoric acid in the workplace, the Occnpational Safety and Health Administration has established a permissible exposnre limit (PEL) of 3 ppm averaged over an 8-honr work shift. The National Institnte for Occnpational Safety and Health has fonnd that the concentration of HF that is immediately dangerous to life or health is 30 ppm. 

CAUTION Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is highly toxic and corrosive, and severely irritating to the respiratory system and eyes All operations should be performed in a well-ventilated fume hood using appropriate safety precautions and procedures. 

Caution. Hydrofluoric acid causes severe bums and all appropriate safety literature describing precautions should be consulted before use. Lab coat, face-shield, and heavy vinyl gloves should be worn when preparing, stirring, and transferring aqueous HF solutions. The fume hood should be approved for use with hydrofluoric acid. The high-temperature oven should also be placed in the hood since aluminum fluoride and HF are evolved in the heat treatment. 

Hall, A.H., Blomet, J., Gross, M., Nehles, J. Hexafluorine for emergency decontamination of hydrofluoric acid eye/skin splashes. Semiconductor Safety Assoc J 14, 30-33 (2000)... 

Acid digestions have the advantage that they provide sample solutions with lower dissolved solids contents than fusion methods, and allow removal of silicon as the fluoride by volatilization, thus avoiding the risk of chemical interference from large amounts of silicon. Care is needed when hydrofluoric acid is used with perchloric acid, on both safety and analytical grounds. Hydrofluoric acid causes severe burns if it comes into contact with skin, and any point of... 

Extra Tip For an extra-tough stain, use a mixture of 3 mL of storage bottle strength (49%-52%) hydrofluoric acid to 100 mL of concentrated nitric acid. This solution should be used for only a minute or two at most and must be done in a fume hood. Use the same safety considerations that you would use for standard hydrofluoric acid.7... 

SAFETY PROFILE Caustic poison and strong irritant by all routes. See also HYDROFLUORIC ACID. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of F", NOx, and NH3. 

SAFETY PROFILE A poison. Moderately toxic by inhalation. A powerful irritant. Hydrolyzes instantly to form HF on contact with moisture. See dso CARBONYLS, HYDROFLUORIC ACID, and FLUORINE. Incompatible with hexafluoroisopropylideneamino-lithium. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of CO and F", See CARBON MONOXIDE for fire and explosion hazard. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE A poison by aU routes. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic F and POx. See also HYDROFLUORIC ACID and PHOSPHORIC ACID. 

SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by ingestion and rectal routes. Mutation data reported. A severe skin and eye irritant. Mixtures with nitric acid + hydrofluoric acid may react vigorously and are storage hazards. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. 

SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by inhalation. A severe eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant. Explodes on contact with dioxygen difluoride. Violent reaction or ignition with borane, diborane, F2. hexafluoroisopropylideneamino lithium, O2. Win react with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Dangerous when heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of F" and PO. See also HYDROFLUORIC ACID, FLUORIDES, and PHOSPHORUS PENTAFLUORIDE. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 6.1 Label KEEP AWAY FROM FOOD SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by subcutaneous route. Experimental teratogenic effects. A corrosive irritant to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Mutation data reported. A very reactive material, When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of K2O and F". Used in etching glass, as a preservative, as an insecticide, and in organic synthesis. See also FLUORIDES and HYDROFLUORIC ACID. 

NIOSH REL TWA 2.5 mg(F)/m3 DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE This material is very toxic to humans by ingestion between 1 teaspoonful and 1 ounce may be fatal. Inhalation of dust may cause irritation to respiratory tract. Skin contact may result in irritation and ulceration eye contact may cause burns. To fight fire, use water, foam, CO2, dry chemicals. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of F" and NaiO. See also FLUORIDES and HYDROFLUORIC ACID. 

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