Liquid ethylene oxide

Instead of adding the liquid ethylene oxide (b.p. 10-6°), the latter may be dissolved in 100 ml. of ice-cold anhydrous ether this solution is added during 15-30 minutes. The yield, however, is somewhat lower. 

Fig. 5. Recommended safe storage pressures for liquid ethylene oxide under nitrogen (—) or methane ( ) blanketiag (9). To convert kPa to psi, multiply...

Liquid Hazards. Pure liquid ethylene oxide will deflagrate given sufficient initiating energy either at or below the surface, and a propagating flame may be produced (266,267). This requites certain minimum temperatures and pressures sensitive to the mode of initiation and system geometry. Under fire exposure conditions, an ethylene oxide pipeline may undergo internal decomposition either by direct initiation of the Hquid, or by formation and subsequent decomposition of a vapor pocket (190). 

Liquid ethylene oxide under adiabatic conditions requires about 200°C before a self-heating rate of 0.02°C/min is observed (190,191). However, in the presence of contaminants such as acids and bases, or reactants possessing a labile hydrogen atom, the self-heating temperature can be much lower (190). In large containers, mnaway reaction can occur from ambient temperature, and destmctive explosions may occur (268,269). 

Calculate the flame temperature and product composition of liquid ethylene oxide decomposing at 20 atm by the irreversible reaction... 

Explosibility. Liquid ethylene oxide is stable to detonating agents, but the vapor will undergo explosive decomposition. Pure ethylene oxide vapor will decompose partially however, a slight dilution with air or a small increase in initial pressure provides an ideal condition for complete decomposition. Copper or other acetylide-forming metals such as silver, magpesium, and alloys of such metals should not be used to handle or store ethylene oxide because of the danger of the possible presence of acetylene. Acetylides detonate readily and will initiate explosive decomposition of ethylene oxide vapor. In the presence of certain catalysts, liquid ethylene oxide forms a poly-condensate. 

Ethylene oxide storage tanks are pressurized with inert gas to keep the vapor space in a nonexplosive region and prevent the potential for decomposition of the ethylene oxide vapor. The total pressure that should be maintained in a storage tank increases with liquid temperature, since the partial pressure of ethylene oxide will also increase. Figure 5 shows the recommended minimum storage pressures for liquid ethylene oxide under nitrogen or methane blanketing gas. 

Safe dilution requirements can be given for the gas phase in a flammability diagram or equation (270,273). Alternatively, safe vapor dilution can be given in terms of the liquid storage conditions where allowance can be made for solubility of the inert gas in liquid ethylene oxide (273). 

Hazards of Mixtures with Air. Pools of liquid ethylene oxide will continue to bum until diluted with at least 22 parts of water by volume. This must be increased to about 100 parts water if the vapor is confined, such as in a sewer. 

Ethylene oxide (freezing point -111.7°C, boiling point 10.4°C, flash point <18°C) is a colorless gas that condenses at low temperature into a mobile liquid. Ethylene oxide is miscible in all proportions with water or alcohol and is very soluble in ether. Ethylene oxide is slowly decomposed by water at standard conditions, converting into ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH). 

Other procedures for the simultaneous determination of chlorides, bromides and iodides were suggested by Russel [576], He analysed 2-haloethanols produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide with HC1, HBr and HI. A sample of halides was converted into halic acids with the aid of a strongly acidic ion exchanger. Ethylene oxide was allowed to pass through 10 ml of the acids cooled to 4°C for 15 min. In another procedure, 1 ml of liquid ethylene oxide was added to the acids. After 1 h, the sample was diluted to 15 ml and 1 fi was analysed using 12% of EGS at 100°C. The method was illustrated on the... 

Ethylene oxide is a gas at room temperature and pressure therefore, inhalation is the primary route of exposure. Dermal exposures may occur to liquid ethylene oxide that exists at temperatures below 11°C however, rapid evaporation minimizes the opportunity for absorption. Background exposures to ethylene oxide occur due to its presence in cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust as well as its conversion from ethylene normally present in the body as the result of metabolic processes and the consumption of plants where it is a natural hormone. 

At high concentrations, ethylene oxide acts as an eye and respiratory irritant as well as a CNS depressant. Symptoms of overexposure include nausea, vomiting, and neurological effects. Pulmonary edema may result. Contact with liquid ethylene oxide or its solutions may result in irritation and burns as well as frostbite from evaporative cooling. 

Ethylene oxide vapor is extremely flammable at concentrations ranging from 3% to 100% and subject to explosive decomposition. Although liquid ethylene oxide is relatively stable, contact with acids, bases, or heat, particularly in the presence of metal chlorides and oxides, can lead to a violent polymerization. 

The condition of the gas vaporizer is a further important consideraikMi to ethylene oxide sterilization. All cylinder supplies of ethylene oxide present the gas in liquid form under pressure, which must then be vaporized before admission to the sterilizer. Inadequate temperatures in vaporizers may lead to the introduction of liquid ethylene oxide into the sterilizer. This is undesirable because it will not fulfill its purpose and because of staining and damage to product and packaging. Overly high temperatures may lead to degradation of the ethylene oxide with resultant polymer buildup restricting gas flow in the feed lines. 

Can react with water to form a hydrate writh a melting point of 1 C. In confined spaces combustion can cause explosion. Odor limit is above TLV. Alcohol consumption increases toxic effects. Turn leaking c inder so that leak is on top to prevent liquid ethylene oxide escaping. Use cylinder with special fittings. 

The hot effluent is cooled to -1°C (in practice this very large temperature difference can only achieved by direct contact heat exchange, ie a quench system). The pressure drop across the large condenser is 50 kPa. Under these conditions, the product stream has a vapour fraction of about 0.8 and the task of recovering condensable liquid ethylene oxide begins. The cool product stream is fed into a 3-phase separator and the light liquid phase is separated from the heavy liquid phase and vapour residual. HYSYS normally puts water in the heavy phase when there is a non-zero water stream. 

In the event of a spill of liquid ethylene oxide, remove all ignition sources, soak up the ethylene oxide with a spill pillow or absorbent material, place in an appropriate container, and dispose of properly. In the event of accidental release of ethylene oxide gas, evacuate the area and eliminate the source of the release, such as a leaking cylinder, if possible. Respiratory protection may be necessary in the event of a large spill or release in a confined area. 

Ethylene oxide is a toxic liquid and gas. Contact of the eyes with liquid ethylene oxide can cause severe irritation and corneal injury. Eye contact with the vapor can cause moderate irritation. Skin contact with the liquid or vapor or water solutions can cause severe delayed chemical bums. Inhalation of vapor will cause irritation of the respiratory tract, which may result in headache, nausea, and vomiting. All cases of inhalation or contact with ethylene oxide liquid or vapor must receive immediate first aid action followed by medical attention. 

Short-term exposure to ethylene oxide vapor at high concentrations can cause nausea, shortness of breath, central nervous system depression, and irritation of mucous membranes in humans. The compound is also described as a protoplasmic poison. Dilute solutions of ethylene oxide can cause skin blistering, edema, irritation, and necrosis and eye irritation and necrosis. Skin contact with liquid ethylene oxide will usually cause bums, and even short-term skin exposure can lead to skin blisters. Some acute cases of poisoning have been reported. Usually, nausea and vomiting are delayed and, after they occur, there can be profound weakness of the extremities, convulsive seizures, and secondary lung infection. A summary of the toxicological effects of ethylene oxide and a referenced summary of acute effects such as LDjo and LC50 data are available (1), as is current information in manufacturers material safety data sheets (2). 

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