Subject: RE:
[DCHAS-L] Lab fire at CU-Boulder chemistry building doused by
sprinklers
Date: September
30, 2009 5:54:25 PM EDT
> Lab fire at
CU-Boulder chemistry building doused by
sprinklers
This timely
post urges me to ask a few questions regarding overnight
experiments.
One of our scientists has submitted a
process request to utilize a 500 ml volume of H2O2:HF (10%):CH3OH in a
ratio of 3:1:2, under bias, for a duration of 24-48 hrs. This solution
will be used to =91electrochemically-etch=92 a solid material in contact
with a 1 amp/ 100 V maximum power supply in an exhausted enclosure. The
submersed solid is used as the anode and a platinum wire facing will be
used as the cathode.
My
questions:
- Has anyone out there
performed similar experiments where power is applied over a lengthy
duration?
- At what power level
should we be concerned (electrical, fire,
etc.)?
- Should this type of
experiment be allowed to occur unattended over a 16 hr
period?
- Are there any other
concerns not addressed in the previous 3 bullets? (I understand the
hazards of HF as well as those of combining an oxidizer with a
solvent)
I appreciate any and all
responses.
Thank
you,
I.J. Saldivar
Sr. Safety
Administrator
Sharp Microelectronics of
the Americas
5700 NW Pacific Rim
Blvd
Camas, WA 98607
(o)
360/834-8734
(c) 360/772-4502
