Safe Handling of Acids

In addition, the practice of adding acid to water with constant stirring should be observed. When acid mixtures are prepared, only the quantity to be used should be prepared, as these may not be safe to store. Finally, pressure relief valves should be provided to any sealed container in which a digestion is to take place. One should be aware, however, that some analyte can be lost as droplets when these valves vent. This is one of the advantages of the pressure-monitored microwave digestion system. In this, the pressure is controlled by modulating the input power, so venting is avoided. 

Taraschewski, and C. Haug, Anal. Chim. Acta, 311, 135 (1995). 

Vaisanen, R. Suontamo, J. Silvonen, and J. Rintala, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 373, 93-97 (2000). 

Yanhoe, J. Trace Elem. Electrolytes Health Dist., 7, 131 (1993). 

Fridlund, S. Littlefield, and I. Rivers, Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 25, 933 (1994). 

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Good laboratory safety practice requires that incompatible chemicals be stored, transported, and disposed of in ways that will prevent their coming together in the event of an accident. Tables 1 and 2 give some basic guidelines for the safe handling of acids, bases, reactive metals, and other chemicals. Neither of these tables is exhaustive, and additional information on incompatible chemicals can be found in the following references. 

Rubber gloves should be worn when handling vessels containing peracetic acid, for traces of the liquid can cause severe irritation. Skin that has come into contact with peracetic acid should be washed immediately and treated with sodium bicarbonate. Details for the safe handling of peracetic acid are found in Bulletin 4 supplied by Buffalo Electrochemical Corp. 

Piperidine acetate, 32, 33 Potassium, 30, 19, 20 directions for safe handling of, 30, 20 Potassium acid acetylenedicarboxylate, 32, 55... 

Phenylacetylene, 72 /ra X-TPHENYL-l,3-BUTAniENE, 75 a-PHENYL-a-CARBETHOXYGLUTARO-NITRILE, 80, 82 0-Phenylenediamine, 56, 86 a-Phenylglutaric acid, 82 a-PHENYLGLUTARIC ANHYDRIDE, 81 Phenylhydrazine, 90 Phenylmagnesium bromide, 97 Phenylsuccinic acid, 83 Phenylsuccinic anhydride, 85 Phosphoric acid, ortho-, 33, 34 Phosphoric anhydride, 33 Phosphorus oxychloride, Tl Phosphorus pentoxide, 22, 46 Potassium, 19, 20 directions for safe handling of, 20 Potassium lerl.-butoxide, solution of, 19... 

Process Engineering Equipment Aspects. Spent acid treatment and concentration as part of the modern sulfate process were possible only because of the availability of recently improved construction materials and equipment items permitting the safe handling of this highly corrosive substance. 

The physical properties of the four aliphatic carboxylic acids reported in this chapter are taken from the product literature of Hoechst Celanese Chemical Company. Several other companies also supply carboxylic acids to the chemical industry. This chapter discusses the naming nomenclature for the carboxylic acids, their physical properties, the various industrial uses, possible environmental concerns, and the safe handling of the aliphatic acids. 

Follow normal industry procedures in the mixing and handling of acids and caustics to eliminate injuries. Special consideration should be given to the safe disposal of waste cleaning solution. 

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