Gas Cylinders

CASE STUDY 1: In September 2000, a gas cylinder containing methyl nitrite exploded in a UNR laboratory. The explosion occurred at night and there were no injuries. However, there was significant damage to the fume hood. Gas Cylinder Safety

Gas Cylinder Safety CAUSES OF THE EXPLOSION: The cylinder had originally been used to store iodotrifluoromethane and later, nitrosyl chloride. Possible causes of explosion: 1.Reaction of Methyl nitrite with reactive residues in the cylinder. 2.Internal corrosion due to previously stored chemicals. 3.Leaks in cryogenic transfer system (non-standard system was used) may have allowed liquid oxygen into the cylinder. 3

Gas Cylinder Safety Lessons Learned: Never refill gas cylinders with highly reactive or corrosive compounds, including the original compound contained in the cylinder. Limit the amount of highly reactive, toxic, or flammable chemicals to the quantity necessary for planned experiments. Do not modify literature procedures (especially those involving highly reactive compounds) without proper technical review. 4

Gas Cylinder Safety Damage to the fume hood 5

Gas Cylinder Safety Compressed cylinder video 6

Gas Cylinder Safety CASE STUDY 2: In 2008, a graduate student researcher took the 20 ml of waste methanol to a fume hood to dispose of it into the waste solvent bottle (500 ml, amber glass container). The researcher mistakenly added the waste methanol to the nitric acid waste bottle (500 ml, clear glass container). Both waste bottles were correctly labeled. Shortly after adding the alcohol to the acid waste, the acid waste container exploded. 7

Gas Cylinder Safety CASE STUDY 2: INJURIES His injuries included glass lacerations to the face and arms, with limited acid burns. He also sustained non-permanent injury to his right eye (he was not wearing safety glasses or goggles). 8

Gas Cylinder Safety CASE STUDY 2: CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Researcher admits to not having paid attention during waste disposal. Corrective action taken: 1.Acid waste containers are now placed separately from solvent containers. 2.Containers are now color-coded to indicate different classes of chemicals. 3.Glass bottles now need to be placed in plastic containers. 9