Ethylene Cylinders
Ethylene is a colorless combustible gas which is lighter than air, with a faint sweet odor, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, the most produced organic compound in the world (the chemical formula is C2H4). Ethylene is capable of explosive decomposition under high pressure, high temperature, or exposure to open flame in the presence of oxygen. Concentration flammability limits in the air, % vol.: - lower - 2.8; - upper - 36.35. Self-ignition temperature is 427°C. Minimum explosive oxygen content when diluting ethylene-air mixtures with nitrogen is 10%, carbon dioxide is 12.1%. Ethylene is liquefied at a temperature of -103.7°C and freezes at a temperature of -169.2 °C. The main industrial method for producing ethylene is the pyrolysis of liquid petroleum distillates or lower saturated hydrocarbons at temperatures of +800-950°C and a pressure of 0.3 MPa. Depending on the feedstock, ethylene yield also varies: from gas oil - about 15-25%, from straight-run gasoline - about 30%, from ethane, propane and butane - up to 50%.
APPLICATION:< / strong>< / strong>< / p>< / p> • in basic organic synthesis for obtaining various compounds: polyethylene, ethylene oxide, vinyl chloride, ethyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, ethyl benzene, acetic acid, styrene and vinyl acetate; • in refrigeration systems. Requirements for transportation, storage and use of cylinders for ethylene are established by the Federal standards and regulations in the field of industrial safety "Regulations of industrial safety for hazardous facilities using equipment operating under excessive pressure", GOST 25070-2013 "Ethylene. Technical specifications", fire safety standards, as well as other laws and regulations and international agreements in force on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Cylinders are not hazardous cargo until they are taken into use, but in any case they should be transported in conditions that exclude mechanical damage. Cylinders with ethylene shall be transported by rail and road in covered vehicles in accordance with the regulations on transportation of dangerous goods applicable to this mode of transport. Transportation by road is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods (ADR), Annexes A and B. The cylinders shall be transported in a horizontal position with gaskets between the cylinders or in a vertical position necessarily with a guard against possible falling. The cylinders must be transported with caps screwed on.
Cylinders designed for storage and transportation of ethylene must not be used for storage and transportation of other gases, and it is prohibited to perform any operations that may contaminate their internal surface and degrade the physical and chemical properties of the gas. It is forbidden to make any modifications to the cylinder bodies using welding or mechanical tools, which can lead to damage to the integrity or appearance of defects that degrade the technical characteristics of the cylinders. When using ethylene cylinders it is not allowed to install them in the places of people passage, movement of goods and passage of vehicles. All industrial premises where ethylene is used must be provided with ventilation that meets the requirements of GOST 12.4.021. The content of chemical substances in the air of the working area should not exceed the sanitary and hygienic standards according to GOST 12.1.005. The maximum permissible concentration of ethylene in the air of the working area of production facilities is 100 mg/m3. When the maximum permissible concentration is exceeded, ethylene has a narcotic effect, causes headache, dizziness, weakened breathing, choking, circulatory disorders and loss of consciousness. Personal respiratory protection equipment in case of exceeding the MPC: self-contained self-rescue device, breathing apparatus with compressed air, oxygen breathing gas mask; when working in confined spaces - a hose gas mask PSH-1 or PSH-2 or other isolating means of personal respiratory protection. Liquefied ethylene in contact with the skin causes skin lesions similar to burns. Apply an anti-burn ointment and a sterile dressing to the affected areas of skin. When a fire breaks out, the extinguishing agents to be used are powder-type, halon and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, mechanical air foam, water vapor, inert gases, aerosol compositions. When filling cylinders with ethylene, the mass of gas in the filled cylinder should not exceed 0.286 kg per 1 dm3 of the cylinder capacity. The gas in the cylinders must not be completely consumed when in use. The residual gas pressure in the cylinder must be at least 0.05 MPa (0.5 kgf/cm2).
Cylinders filled with ethylene are stored in special warehouses or in outdoor areas under a shelter that protects the cylinders from precipitation and direct sunlight. Warehouses and outdoor areas must be located within the lightning protection zone. In the premises where ethylene-filled cylinders are stored, it is prohibited to handle open flame; electrical networks and artificial lighting must be of explosion-proof design. Do not use tools that produce sparks on impact. Cylinders designed for transportation and storage of ethylene must be protected against static electricity in accordance with GOST 12.1.018. It is forbidden to store ethylene and oxygen cylinders in the same room, it is forbidden to store cylinders in the room where the technological process of using ethylene contained in them is carried out. Storage of cylinders should be carried out with the caps screwed on.