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I looked up green
flame
tests and found this from http://chemistry.about.com/od/analyticalchemistry/a/flametest.htm So your closed cup flame might
still be responding
to residues of one of these.
They
don’t look too volatile.
I’m
not an expert in the technique but GC-Mass Spec sounds like a good
procedure to
try and requires extremely small samples.
If you’re lucky the database on the instrument will give
you the answers
directly. There is
probably someone
on the list from your area who has the expertise. Good
luck.
Sandra Koster
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Green
Emerald: Copper compounds, other than halides. Thallium.
Bright Green: Boron
Blue-Green: Phosphates, when moistened with H2SO4
or B2O3.
Faint Green: Antimony and NH4 compounds.
Yellow-Green: Barium, manganese(II), molybdenum.
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List
[mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On
Behalf Of List Moderator
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 11:38 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Unknown Hazardous
Chemical
From: Andrew Gross <gross.drew**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com>
Date: December 28, 2009 12:02:48 PM EST
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Unknown Hazardous Chemical
Hi Everyone,
My lab recieved a sample from a power plant that they do not know what
it is and wish to have it identified. I am trying to ID it because
until I have a better idea it is on hold for all testing (read on to
find out why). I'm hoping for some thoughts.
Sample is liquid in appearance, but lighter then di-chloromethane. I
think it is actually an oil of some kind. It is transparant yellow
and some say it smells like kerosene.
It forms a white emulsion when mixed with water.
There is no flash point. On closed cup method it flames out below
25C. It does not ignite when exposed to direct flame. However it
boils around 27C.
Exposed flame turns green (like copper flame), vapors also turn flame green.
When dried, it turns to a waxy white translucent crystal. My closed
cup flame is still green meaning it is contaminated by the vapors.
Vapors in small quanteties (under hood) cause nausea, light headedness
and confusion.
pH is 6ish (litmus paper) although client claims it to be caustic.
All PCB analysis came up negative.
The exposure effects are why all tests are on hold till we have a
better idea as to what were dealing with as well as the remaining
tests for my department involve reacting with acid and pumping
nitrogen through it.
Thoughts, ideas, experiences? Client has 5 unidentified drums of this
stuff and has no idea what it is. We need to identify but I am not
going to put anyone in danger until I know more about it.
Andrew Gross
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