Poisoning by potassium

Ivanov, K. P., Effect of increased oxygen pressure in animals poisoned by potassium cyanide. Farmakol, Toksikol. 22, 468-473 (1959). 

K. Fujimoto and T. Shikada, "Regeneration of V2O5 - Ti02 Catalysts for Nitrogen Monoxide Reduction Poisoned by Potassium Salts", Chem. Lett.. 1983,515-518. 

Accidental poisoning by potassium iodate at doses of 187-470 mg/kg body weight through the oral route... 

To simulate poisoning by potassium in the flue gas stream, the sample pellets were submerged in fine particles of KCl (<200 nm) and placed in a furnace for 248 hrs at 350°C in a water saturated air flow. Hereby the temperature is above the Tanmian temperature for KCl (m.p. = 771°C, TTamman= 258.5°C). Thus, the salt is surface mobile, and will diffuse into the catalyst pores deactivating any accessible active sites... 

Steam reforming is the reaction of steam with hydrocarbons to make town gas or hydrogen. The first stage is at 700 to 830°C (1,292 to 1,532°F) and 15-40 atm (221 to 588 psih A representative catalyst composition contains 13 percent Ni supported on Ot-alumina with 0.3 percent potassium oxide to minimize carbon formation. The catalyst is poisoned by sulfur. A subsequent shift reaction converts CO to CO9 and more H2, at 190 to 260°C (374 to 500°F) with copper metal on a support of zinc oxide which protects the catalyst from poisoning by traces of sulfur. 

Potassium cyanide KCN On exposure to air, gradually decomposes to release HCN Poisonous by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption Do not handle with bare hands. Strong solutions may be corrosive to the skin Nonflammable white lumps or crystals Eaint odour of bitter almonds Completely water soluble... 

The goal of Haber s research was to find a catalyst to synthesize ammonia at a reasonable rate without going to very high temperatures. These days two different catalysts are used. One consists of a mixture of iron, potassium oxide. K20, and aluminum oxide. Al203. The other, which uses finely divided ruthenium, Ru. metal on a graphite surface, is less susceptible to poisoning by impurities. Reaction takes place at 450°C and a pressure of 200 to 600 atm. The ammonia... 

Basila (365) studied the izifrared spectrum of silica-alumina dehydrated at 500°. The technique developed by Peri and Hannan (333) was used. Only one OH stretching frequency at 3745 cm- was observed. This coincides with the absorption of isolated hydroxyl groups on pure silica. The absorption peak is not influenced by the chemisorption of water vapor at 150°. The chemisorbed water retains its molecularity, does not form hydrogen bonds with the isolated silanol groups, and is adsorbed on sites which can be poisoned by treatment with potassium acetate. 

When only potassium carbonate or organic solvents are used, the effects are less important. Potassium carbonate blocks the catalyst pores, and can be removed by washing with water to restore normal performance. Methanation catalysts can be protected from poisons by installing a guard bed of zinc oxide absorbent. This will remove traces of sulfur and droplets of liquid from the carbon dioxide removal system70. 

This oxide is one of the most active catalytic agents for the oxidation of CO near room temperature, if it is not contaminated with adsorbed material in its preparation. Its activity was discovered by Whitesell and Frazer (12). This oxide represents probably the first successful low temperature simple catalyst of industrial importance. It was prepared by treatment of potassium permanganate with sulfuric acid, followed by treatment of the product with concentrated nitric acid. The precipitated hydrated oxide was carefully washed, oxidized, and dried. This yielded a material which was catalytically active for CO oxidation at a temperature as low as — 20°C. It was rapidly poisoned by adsorbed water, but the activity could be regenerated if the water was removed by heating below sintering temperature. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by subcutaneous, intravenous, and intramuscular routes. Moderately toxic by other routes. A severe eye irritant. Mutation data reported. Explosive reaction with potassium chlorate or bromine trifluoride. Violent reaction (ignition) with bromine pentafluoride, NH4, NO3, and IF7. Reaction with hydrogen cyanide may give the explosive nitrogen trichloride. When heated... 

NIOSH REL (Chromium(VI)) TWA 0.025 mg(Cr(VI))/mh CL 0.05/15M SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed human carcinogen. Poison by subcutaneous route. Mutation data reported. A powerful oxidizer. A powerful irritant of skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Can cause a dermatitis, bronchoasthma, chrome holes, damage to the eyes. Dangerously reactive. Incompatible with acetic acid, acetic anhydride, tetrahydronaphthalene, acetone, alcohols, alkali metals, ammonia, arsenic, bromine penta fluoride, butyric acid, n,n-dimethylformamide, hydrogen sulfide, peroxyformic acid, phosphorus, potassium hexacyanoferrate, pyridine, selenium. 

OSHA PEL TWA 1 mg(Fe)/m3 ACGIH TLV TWA 1 mg(Fe)/m3 DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and intravenous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Corrosive. Probably an eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant. Mutation data reported. Reacts with water to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Catalyzes potentially explosive polymerization of ethylene oxide, chlorine + monomers (e.g., styrene). Forms shock-sensitive explosive mixtures with some metals (e.g., potassium, sodium). Violent reaction with allyl chloride. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of HCl. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE A poison by ingestion. Moderately toxic by skin contact. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Moderately explosive when exposed to heat. Reacts with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Dangerous reactions with metals e.g., sodium (mixture explodes on impact), potassium (explodes on contact), aluminum (ignition after a delay period). Reacts violently with A1 foil. CdS. PbS. organic matter. P. PCI3. rubber. Ag2S. ZnS. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of CL and I and may explode. See also IODINE and CHLORIDES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed human carcinogen. Poison by ingestion. Moderately toxic by skin contact. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of K2O, Cd, and Cr. See also CADMIUM COMPOUNDS, POTASSIUM CHROMATE, and THIRAM. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intravenous and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. Questionable carcinogen. Probably a severe eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant. Mutation data reported. A powerful oxidizer. Explodes on contact with red-hot carbon, cyclopentadienylsodium (at 100-130°C), potassium acetate + heat. Reacts violently with ammonium thiocyanate, carbon, lead hypophosphite. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Pb and NOx. Used as a mordant, a chemical reagent, and in production of matches and pyrotechnics. See also LEAD COMPOUNDS and NITRATES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intravenous route. Moderately toxic by ingesdon and intraperitoneal routes. A severe eye irritant. Incompadble with phenol, p-naphthol, resorcinol or thymol in trituradon, potassium permanganate, chromium trioxide, pyrogallol. Combusdble liquid. VCTien heated to decomposidon it emits acrid smoke and irritadng fiimes. 

SAFETY PROFILE A poison by ingestion, skin contact, and intraperitoneal routes. Vigorous reaction with indium at 350°C. Incompatible with sodium and potassium. When heated to decomposition it emits v rj toxic fumes of Br and Hg. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS and BROMIDES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic and tumorigenic data. Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Mutation data reported. Flammable liquid. Reactive with active metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, or zinc. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of CT and NOx. See also AMINES. 

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