Reactive materials, storing

The F EI measures realistic maximum loss potential under adverse operating conditions. It is based on quantifiable data. It is designed for flammable, combustible, and reactive materials that are stored, handled, or processed. It does not address frequency (risk) except indirectly, nor does it address specific hazards to people except indirectly. 

The extreme hazards involved in handling this highly reactive material are stressed. Freshly distilled material rapidly polymerises at ambient temperature to produce a gel and then a hard resin. These products can neither be distilled nor manipulated without explosions ranging from rapid decomposition to violent detonation. The hydrocarbon should be stored in the mixture with catalyst used to prepare it, and distilled out as required [1], The dangerously explosive gel is a peroxidic species not formed in absence of air, when some l,2-di(3-buten-l-ynyl)cyclobutane is produced by polymerisation [2], The dienyne reacts readily with atmospheric oxygen, forming an explosively unstable polymeric peroxide. Equipment used with it should be rinsed with a dilute solution of a polymerisation inhibitor to prevent formation of unstable residual films. Adequate shielding of operations is essential [3],... 

After storage for 16 years in a tin, a sealed bottle originally holding sodium dispersed in xylene was found to contain a yellow/white solid layer in place of the expected supernatant xylene. Scraping the solid out caused a violent explosion. The force of the explosion leads to a suspicion of peroxide formation, but there is no obvious explanation. Reactive materials like alkali-metal dispersions in volatile solvents should not be stored indefinitely, but clearly labeled after receipt or preparation to show the disposal date. Disposal of such dispersions by binning is recommended. Sodium dispersed in toluene might behave in the same way. 

Reactive Materials. You can get most of the data you need to safely handle many reactive materials from material suppliers. Depending on the nature of the material and how you will be storing and using it, the needed data for each reactive material will likely include ... 

Many inherently reactive materials are stored at chemical manufacturing facilities. Most commonly these are monomers for the production of plastics, fibre or elastomers. Under certain conditions, some normally stable materials may become reactive in the presence of a contaminant. To prevent spontaneous reaction in storage the materials are stored under conditions that eliminate, or almost eliminate, any reaction. 

ACIDE CYANHYDRIQUE (French) (74-90-8) Can be self-reactive, forming an explosive mixture with air (flash point 0°F/— 18°C). Unless inhibited, material stored more than 90 days may be hazardous. Heat above 356°F/180°C or contact with alkalis or amines can cause explosive polymerization. Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, acetaldehyde. Solutions containing more than 2—5% water are less stable than dry material. Acid solutions react with ammonia, ferric oxide, halogens, ozone. Attacks some plastics, rubber, and coatings. Water solutions attack carbon steels at room temperatures and stainless steels (especially if stabilized with sulfuric acid) above 176°F780°C. 

In most situations it is best to store the batteries in a sprinkler-controlled area. The batteries can and will start the fire but only vent reactive materials for a brief period. The chance of water actually coming in contact with elemental lithium is very remote. The water will cool most batteries in close proximity to the fire and also will prevent secondary fires as a result of the battery fire. Water should not be used on very large lithium batteries (above 1000 Ah per cell) but these batteries comprise much less than 1% of the lithium battery population and are only used in military and government applications. 

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