Sulphur Dioxide Cylinder
Sulphur dioxide (sulfur dioxide) is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell of a lit match, sweet to the taste (the chemical formula is SO2). It is heavier than air, and accumulates in low places. It is explosion-proof and non-combustible. It is toxic. In nature it can be found in volcanic gases. Sulphur dioxide is liquefied under pressure at room temperature, or at a temperature of -10.1°C, converting to a colorless liquid, it freezes at a temperature of -75.5°C, taking the form of a crystalline mass. The industrial method of producing sulphur dioxide is based on burning sulphur or burning metal-sulphur compounds (sulphides). Under laboratory conditions it is produced by the action of strong acids on sulphites and hydrosulphites to produce sulphurous acid and its subsequent decomposition into sulphurous anhydride and water.
APPLICATION:
• for the production of sulphurous acid; • for the disinfection of vegetable storage facilities and warehouses; • for the sulphation of fruit and vegetables; • in the paper and textile industry for bleaching straw, silk and wool, i.e. materials that cannot be bleached with chlorine; • in the wine industry as a preservative (food additive E220); • in laboratories as a solvent; • in refrigeration engineering due to its high evaporation heat and easy condensability. Requirements for transportation, storage and use of cylinders for liquid sulphur dioxide 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 2918-79 "Industrial liquid sulphur dioxide. Technical specifications (with Amendments N 1, 2)", 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. Liquid sulphur dioxide is transported by rail in steel cylinders in covered rail cars, as well as by road in steel cylinders in accordance with the regulations on cargo transportation applicable to this mode of transport. Upon agreement between the consumer and the manufacturer it is permitted to transport sulphur dioxide in cylinders in packaged form. The cylinders must be transported with caps screwed on.
Cylinders designed for storage and transportation of liquid sulphur dioxide 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 cylinders for liquid sulphur dioxide it is not allowed to install them in the places of people passage, movement of goods and passage of vehicles. Cylinders must be located at least 1 m away from radiators and other heating devices and at least 5 m from heat sources with open flame. The maximum permissible concentration of liquid sulphur dioxide in the air of the working area of production facilities is 10 mg/m3. Sulphur dioxide causes irritation to the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract. When the concentration of sulphur dioxide in the air is up to 60 mg/m3, acute poisoning is possible, accompanied by pulmonary edema and heart enlargement. Higher concentrations of liquid sulphur dioxide cause lung inflammation. Burns to the skin and eyes with liquid sulphur dioxide are possible. When working with liquid sulphur dioxide, safety requirements must be observed, personal protective equipment must be worn: rubber boots, cloth overalls, cloth gloves, and a B or BKF filtering gas mask must be available at the workplace. In emergency cases (spill of liquid sulphur dioxide), an oxygen breathing gas mask, rubber suit and rubber gloves must be worn in addition. 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 liquid sulphur dioxide are stored in special enclosed warehouses with natural or artificial ventilation. Liquid sulphur dioxide cylinders are marked with labels indicating the marking data (product name; manufacturer's name; batch number; date of manufacture; cylinder number; net and gross weight of the cylinder; danger symbol). Storage of cylinders should be carried out with the caps screwed on.