ACRYLONITRILE
Cyano Ethylene, Propene Nitrile, Vinyl Cyanide.
Very reactive; may polymerize explosively in the presence of strong bases (such as caustic soda) , by heat or visible light. As the name suggests when heated, this material may evolve killer toxic cyanide gas, or explode, or both.
Acrylonitrile is a known carcinogen.
Colorless mobile liquid to pale yellow
Clear and free from suspended matter
Very toxic
Known carcinogen
Mutagen/ changes hereditary genetic material of living cells
Odour/ sharp of peach kernel or garlic odour
SG/ 0.808
Chemical family/ nitrile
CHRIS code/ CAN
UN No/ 1093
Pollution category/ Y
USCG group/ 15
BP/ 77C
MP/ -83C
VD/ 1.83 (vapor can travel along the ground )
FP/ -1C
AIT/ 231C
AH/ nil
VH/ nil
VP/ 100mm HQ @8C
Viscosity/ 0.4 mPas
Surface tension/ low
pH/ 6 to 7.5 (5% soln )
Evaporates
Polymerises by heat. Polymerization can be initiated by visible light , so store in dark place.
AH/ ambient
Vapor pressure 20C (mmHg)/ 83C
Raid vapor pressure (psia)/ 3.5
Vapor pressure 46C (psia)/ 5.0
Vapor density (air =1.0)/ 1.8
Solubility in water/ partial
Flammable liquid
Can ignite on contact with certain oxidisers
When heated, this material may evolve toxic cyanide gas, or explode, or both. Flashback along vapor trail may occur. Fire may cause violent rupture of the tank.
Flammable limits/ 3.0 to 17.0%
Autoignition temperature/ 481C
Attacks natural and nitrile rubber
Soluble in organic solvents like Acetone, Toluene, IPA, Ether, Ethanol
Does not react with water.
Affects PTT and UV test of next cargo.
Vapor inhalation/ affects nervous system and lungs. Causes nose, throat irritation, tightness in chest, difficulty in breathing, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, impaired judgement, convulsions. Reassure the patient—do not leave him alone.
Cyanide kit:
12 pearls amyl nitrate
1 sterile syringe 10cc
1 sterile syringe 50cc
2 ampoules of sodium nitrate 10cc , 3% soln
2 ampoules of sodium thiosulphate 50cc, 25% soln.
Crush capsule in handkerchief and hold under nose. Do 5 times at 15 sec intervals.
Uses: nitrile rubber, grain fumigant, acrylic fibre, plastics, luggage , dinnerware
DO NOT use dry chemical for large, confined fire. If the tank is fitted with an N2 line, a fire may be extinguished by introducing N2. Water or foam may cause frothing. Keep tank cool with water spray. Fire-fighters must wear respiratory protection and full protective clothing including rubber boots.
Moderate irritating volatile chemicals, such that personnel will not usually tolerate moderate or high vapor concentrations.
Minimum hazards. Usually includes chemical which, if spilled on clothing and allowed to remain, will cause smarting and reddening of the skin with blisters and erythema. Wash with soap and flush with water.
Always use goggles.
Odor threshold (ppm)/ 21.4
Permissible exposure limits/TWA/ 29 ppm
Threshold limit value/TWA/ 2 ppm
Harmful by inhalation and skin absorption. Penetrates leather, liquid in shoes causes delayed bums. Contaminated leather shoes and gloves should be destroyed.
Eye irritation, headache, nausea, blueness of lips and finger tips. Contact with skin may also cause dermatitis.
STEL/ 400 ppm for 30 minutes
Penetrates leather. Contaminated leather gloves must be destroyed. Use butyl rubber gloves.
Inhibitor is MEHQ about 44ppm.(ethyl hydroquinone )/ 4 methoxy phenol (these are oxygen dependant, so do NOT inert tank )
Use PPE of PVC, neoprene, HD polyethylene
Remove victim to fresh air. If he is not breathing, apply artificial respiration. Remove contaminated clothing and wash chemical from skin with gentle flow of water. Get medical attention. If patient is unconscious, administer vapor of amyl nitrite (Break an Amyl Nitrite ampoule in a cloth and hold it lightly under the nose of the victim, but away from the person giving first aid, for about 15 seconds. Repeat five times at about 15 second's intervals).
Very reactive; may polymerize explosively in the presence of strong bases (such as caustic soda). The product must be inhibited to prevent polymerization. Polymerization could be initiated by visible light.
Copper and copper alloys are attacked and should not be used. Attacks aluminum in high concentrations Aluminum, Magnesium, Zinc, galvanized steel and Lithium should not come in contact with Acrylonitrile . Materials normally used in electrical apparatus, such as copper, aluminum and insulation, should as far as practicable be protected to prevent contact with the vapor of Acrylonitrile.
Group 15. See also exceptions to the chart (Do not stow adjacent to Caustic).
Wear rubber gloves, breathing apparatus, protective clothing. Avoid contact with liquid.
If leak on cargo transfer system, stop the transfer and empty the line system. Secure ignition sources. Flush contaminated area with a weak LAC solution (1%), then flush the area with large quantities of water.
Ensure inhibitor certificate is on board prior loading.
Chemical incompatibility Acrylonitrile/ Caustic soda solution
Experience has shown that there is danger of hazardous reaction between Acrylonitrile (group 15) and Caustic soda solution (group 5). This combination is considered compatible for adjacent stowage by current regulations (46 CFR part 160). While a review of the data used to construct the compatibility chart in these regulations showed no reactivity between these two chemicals at test temperatures up to 100 °C, the new data indicates that a delayed reaction may occur, which generates large amounts of heat if the mixture is vigorously stirred.
DO NOT LOAD ACRYLONITRILE ( GROUP 15 ) AND CAUSTIC SODA ( GROUP 5 ) SOLUTION IN ADJACENT TANKS, AS AN EXCEPTION TO USCG COMPATIBILITY CHART.
Acrylonitrile is an unstable product when not inhibited. Acrylonitrile is regulated for bulk transportation by the IMO, BCH and IBC codes. Following is the summary of the codes' minimum requirements:
Alcohol resistant foam
REMOVAL OF ACRYLONITRILE FROM DRIP TRAYS
Any product that may enter drip trays when disconnecting the cargo hoses must be transferred to a slop tank or a toxic waste container by safe methods. Personnel must wear rubber gloves, face shield, plastic coated clothing and wear self-contained breathing apparatus. Small spills may be flushed away with water.
For washing: give cold prewash and then a hot wash.
-------CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL
29 YEARS IN COMMAND
No comments:
Post a Comment