Sulphur fire

Earthy, from Radeberg, yielding Sulphur. Fire-yielding Pyrites of other colours. 

In the event of a sulphur fire, large quantities of sulphur dioxide may be released. The procedures for extinguishing the fire outlined in section 3.1.2 should be followed. It is important to stay up-wind of any sulphur dioxide source, away from low lying areas where the gas could collect. Any closed space should be well ventilated before entering and self- contained, positive pressure breathing apparatus worn. In the event of exposure to sulphur dioxide breathing may become difficult. Oxygen must however only be administered by a qualified physician. 

Sulphur dioxide Air-conditioning units Coal fires... 

The ash deposits resulting from the combustion of solid and oil fuels often contain appreciable quantities of other corrodants in addition to vanadium pentoxide. One of the more important of these is sodium sulphate, and the effects of this constituent in producing sulphur attack have been mentioned. The contents of sodium sulphate and vanadium pentoxide present in fuel oil ash can vary markedly and the relative merits of different materials depend to a great extent upon the proportions of these constituents. Exposure of heat-resisting alloys of varying nickel, chromium and iron contents to ash deposition in the super-heater zones of oil-fired boilers indicated a behaviour pattern depending on the composition of the alloy and of the ash... 

These alloy coatings have advantages over tin in atmospheric exposure where there is heavy pollution by oxides of sulphur. They are cathodic to steel and anodic to copper. In industrial atmospheres, however, formation of a layer of lead sulphate seals pores and produces a generally stable surface and terne-plate has been used extensively as roofing sheet, especially in the USA. It is easily and effectively painted when additional protection is required. Copper heat exchangers in gas-fired water-heaters may be coated by hot dipping in 20% tin alloy . 

In the glass-bottle industry the bottles can be cooled in a dilute SOj/SO, atmosphere to increase chemical resistance. A similar effect has been noted with vitreous enamel. It has been postulated that a thin layer of —OH groups or — OH—HjO (hydronium) ions is adsorbed on the surface of a fired enamel. These ions are transformed into — OSO, or —OSO3 in the presence of oxides of sulphur which are more resistant to further acid attack. It is known that the acid resistance of a recently fired enamel improves on ageing, probably due to the enamel reaction with SOj/SO, in the atmosphere and it is quite common for the grading to improve from Class A to Class AA (BS 1344). 

When incorporating sulphuric acid into a hydrogen peroxide/alcohol mixture there will be an explosion whereas a sulphuric acid/peroxide mixture poured onto alcohol would not cause any fire. Everything here is linked to the concentration of peroxomonosulphuric acid in alcohol. 

Speculum alchymiae = The true glass of alchemy / by Roger Bacon — The admirable efficacy and almost incredible virtue of true oyl, which is made of sulphur-vive, set on fire and called commonly oyl of sulphur per campanem / G. Starkey — Sundry new and artificial remedies against famine / written by Sir H. Platt — The tomb of Semiramis hermetically sealed. 

Starkey, George. "The admirable efficacy and almost incredible virtue of true oil which is made of sulphur vive set on fire and commonly called oil of sulphur per campanam." In Collectanea chemica, ed. Arthur Edward] [Waite, 37J-54. Edmonds (WA) Alchemical P, 1991. 

The most common fuels used are gas (natural gas, methane, propane, synthesis gas) and light fuel oils. Contaminants such as ash, alkalis (sodium and potassium) and sulphur result in deposits, which degrade performance and cause corrosion in the hot section of the turbine. Total alkalis and total sulphur in the fuel should both be typically less than 10 ppm. Gas turbines can be equipped with dual firing to allow the machine to be switched between fuels. 

Acetone Acetylene Alkali and alkaline earth metals, e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium, magnesium, calcium, powdered aluminium Anhydrous ammonia Concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid mixtures Chlorine, bromine, copper, silver, flourine or mercury Carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride, or other chlorinated hydrocarbons. (Also prohibit, water, foam and dry chemical on fires involving these metals - dry sand should be available.) Mercury, chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, iodine, bromine or hydrogen fluoride... 

Some zoologists believe this reaction inspired the myth of fire-breathing dragons some large tropical lizards have glands beside their mouths to produce both H2S and S02. Under advantageous conditions, the resultant sulphur reacts so vigorously with the air that flames form as a self-defence mechanism. 

Earthquakes provide the ultimate test of the storage of incompatible chemicals and are sometimes followed by fires in chemical stores. Very few causes of ignition are found alkali metals halogen oxysalts in conjunction with strong acids and sulphuric or nitric acid and cellulose (wood flooring). These usually then ignite vapours of flammable solvents. 

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