Pyrophoric materials storage

Requirements for pyrophoric materials storage are covered or referenced in UFC Section 8003.8. Included are requirements for signage, ignition control, spill control, drainage, secondary containment, ventilation, separation from incompatibles, fire protection, explosion control, electrical reliability requirements, and alarm/monitoring requirements. 

In the catalyst preparation area where the fire occurred, aluminum alkyl and isopentane are mixed in a batch blending operation in three 8000-gallon kettles. The flow rates of components are regulated by an operator at the control room. Temperature, pressure, and liquid level within the kettles are monitored by the control room operator. The formulated catalyst is stored in four 12,000-gallon vertical storage tanks within this process unit. Aluminum alkyl is a pyrophoric material and isopentane is extremely flammable. Each vessel was insulated and equipped with a relief valve sized for external fire. 

Many furnace residues (fine powders and salts) deposited in the upper parts of furnaces used for thorium melting operations, are highly pyrophoric and often ignite as the furnace is opened. Such residues may be rendered safe by storage under water for 60-90 days. If the water is drained off early, ignition may occur. See other PYROPHORIC MATERIALS... 

All gas cabinets located within the H-6 fab areas must contain sprinklers. In H-2 or H-7 storage rooms, only cabinets containing pyrophoric materials must be sprinklered (see exception to UFC 5105.2). Sprinklering of all cabinets, regardless of the gas which a cabinet will store at the outset of design is recommended. 

Note Revisions proposedfor the 1994 UFC delete the requirement for special explosion-proofelectrical devicesfor pyrophoric storage rooms. This recognizes the provisions of NEC 500-2, which state Where pyrophoric materials are the only materials used or handled, these locations shall not be classified.)... 

Methyl bromide, when dry (<100 ppm water), is inert toward most materials of constmction. Carbon steel is recommended for storage vessels, piping, pumps, valves, and fittings. Copper, brass, nickel, and its alloys are sometimes used. Aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and alloys of these metals should not be used because under some conditions dangerous pyrophoric compounds may be formed. Many nonmetallic materials are also useful for handling methyl bromide, but nylon and polyvinyl chloride should be avoided. 

Tin finds widespread use because of its resistance to corrosion, or as foil or to provide protective coats/plates for other metals. Properties of lead which make industrial application attractive surround its soft, plastic nature permitting it to be rolled into sheets or extruded through dies. In the finely-divided state lead powder is pyrophoric in bulk form the rapidly-formed protective oxide layer inhibits further reaction. It dissolves slowly in mineral acids. Industrial uses include roofing material, piping, and vessel linings, e.g. for acid storage. 

Dangerous materials may require special equipment. Chlorination with gaseous chlorine requires quite expensive storage facilities. Chlorination with chlorine, thionyl chloride, sulphuryl chloride, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus trichloride, or phosphorus pentachloride, all of which are fairly hazardous, requires off-gas treatment. Some of these reactants can be recycled. Pyrophoric solids such as hydrogenation catalysts, anhydrous aluminium trichloride for Friedel-Crafts reactions, or hydrides used as reducing agents should usually be handled using special facilities. Therefore, all of the above proce.sses are usually carried out in dedicated plants. 

Most research on the structure of skeletal catalysts has focused on nickel and involved methods such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), electron diffraction, Auger spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in addition to pore size and surface area measurements. Direct imaging of skeletal catalyst structures was not possible for a long while, and so was inferred from indirect methods such as carbon replicas of surfaces [54], The problem is that the materials are often pyrophoric and require storage under water. On drying, they oxidize rapidly and can generate sufficient heat to cause ignition. 

Another difficulty arises from the chemical properties of the actinide metals. They are chemically reactive, rapidly corroded by moist air, pyrophoric, and, when in the molten state, dissolve common crucible materials. The radioactivity of short-lived isotopes of Am and Cm makes their long-term storage difficult small amounts can be stored successfully under ultrahigh vacuum. Large amounts of isotopes such 238pu with a Ti/2 of only 87.7 years are best stored under a pure inert... 

Incandescent reaction with fluorine. Reacts to form pyrophoric or explosive products with bromine trifluoride, trifluoromethyl hypofluorite. Mixtures with formamide + iodine + sulfur trioxide are storage hazards, releasing carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid. Incompatible with oxidizing materials. 

H. Pyrophoric Compounds are materials that ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature below 130°F. They require special storage in containers that are sealed in inert gas. 

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