THE CHEMISTRY OF FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS

This chapter is organized into three main sections providing discussions on the chemistry of fire and explosion, and the chemistry of hazardous materials. The last section of this chapter provides the reader with an extensive glossary of technical terms dealing with chemical hazards and hazard materials handling. 

The Chemistry of Fire and Explosions Follows the topic of flammable chemicals in Section... 

The Chemistry of Fire and Explosions Follows the topic of flammable chemicals in Section 5.1.2 with a discussion of the nature of fire and explosions as chemical reactions. 

Microscale Distillation. Microscale organic chemistry, with a history that spans more than a century, is not a new concept to research scientists however, the traditional 5- to 100-gram macroscale of student laboratories was reduced one hundred to one thousand times by the introduction of microscale glassware in the 1980 s to reduce the risk of fire and explosion, limit exposure to toxic substances, and minimize hazardous waste. Microscale glassware comes in a variety of configurations, such as Mayo-Pike or Williamson styles. Distillation procedures are especially troublesome in microscale because the ratio of wetted-glass... 

Davison, G., and Hewitt, C.N. (ed.) (1997) Air Pollution in the United Kingdom, Royal Society of Chemistry, London. Dow Chemical Company (1993) Dow s Fire and Explosion Index Hazard Classification Guide American Institute of Chemical Engineers. 

The information to be compiled about the chemicals, including process intermediates, needs to be comprehensive enough for an accurate assessment of the fire and explosion characteristics, reactivity hazards, the safety and health hazards to workers, and the corrosion and erosion effects on the process equipment and monitoring tools. Current material safety data sheet (MSDS) information can be used to help meet this requirement but must be supplemented with process chemistry information, including runaway reaction and over-pressure hazards, if applicable. 

Technetium and rhenium differ markedly from manganese, but they are very similar to each other. They have little cationic chemistry, few compounds in the oxidation state II, more extensive chemistry in the IV and V states. The metals resemble Pt in their appearance (usually, however, they are in the form of a grey powder) they tarnish slowly in moist air, do not react with water. Metal dust is a fire and explosion hazard. 

R.C. Smart, "The Technology of Industrial Fire and Explosion Hazards , Chapman Hall, London (1947) 6) A.M. Cameron, "Chemistry... 

In specific instances, the application of fogging outstripped the acquisition of prerequisite basic information, not o y in the fleld of biology (entomology) but also in chemistry, physics, and the broad, ill-defined fields which embrace the safety factors—safety to man and animals, safety to vegetation, and safety with respect to fire and explosion hazards. Research in all these fields is under way and is catching up with, or has already caught up with, the practical applications. 

Process safety, a discipline that focuses on the prevention of fires, explosions and accidental chemical releases at chemical process facilities, is a key element for a sustainable industrial chemistry, as indicated in the previous sections. There are three key elements for process safety behavior, system and process. 

When you see a colorful display of fireworks, you probably don t think about chemistry. However, creators of fireworks displays have to keep chemistry in mind. Packing what will provide the rocket s red glare for the 4th of July display is done by hand. Employees learn to follow proper precautions to avoid fires and explosions. 

Potassium sulfide, K2S, is a binary salt. It is a red or yeUow-red crystalline mass or fused solid. It is deliquescent in air, which means it absorbs water from the air, and it is also soluble in water. Potassium sulfide is a dangerous fire risk and may ignite spontaneously. It is explosive in the form of dust and powder. It decomposes at 1562°F and melts at 1674°F. The specific gravity is 1.74, which is heavier than air. The four-digit UN identification number is 1382. The NFPA 704 designation is health 3, flammability 1, and reactivity 0. Potassium sulfide is used primarily in analytical chemistry and medicine. 

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