This would be an opportunity to
cross-educate some chemistry students in engineering safety and some
engineering students in chemistry.
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From: DCHAS-L Discussion
List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Cody, Regina J.
(GSFC-6910)
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 2:02 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Isobutane Safety -- Refrigeration Unit
Dear Marjorie,
Since the students are having the
unit built and welded, they need to thoroughly leak check the unit before any
use, preferably with a helium leak detector. Especially if they are also
going to use ammonia as one of the gases. The flammability hazard should
be considerably reduced if the unit is leak tight and the gas line connections
are tight.
Regina Cody
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
From: DCHAS-L Discussion
List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of marjorie.markopoulos**At_Symbol_Here**WRIGHT.EDU
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 9:43 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Isobutane Safety -- Refrigeration Unit
A couple of undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering want
to make a Einstein-like refrigeration unit for their senior project.
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/sep/21/scienceofclimatechange.climatechange
-- it’s also on Wikipedia. These aren't the exact models, but it is the
concept.)
They are seeking safety guidance from EHS. They want to use isobutene
(0.337 kg), ammonia (0.21kg), and water (0.636kg) in the table-top
system. They plan on building it in a chemical fume hood and they hope to
eventually make it portable for demos.
The pressure will be no greater than 50psi and the unit will be built with
stainless steel and welded together by a professional welder.
Questions:
1. Has anyone had such a unit built and what safety requirements were in
place:
2. PPE -- Should we
require a Nomex lab coat? Face shield, in addition to impact resistant
goggles?
3. What's the best way to address the potential flammability
issues? In a fume hood with the sash as low as possible. Any
monitoring or sensing?
Any input that you may have will be helpful. I also don't want to miss
any important questions that I should be asking them.
Thanks to you all in advance!
Marjorie Markopoulos, M.S.
Biological and Chemical Safety Officer
Department of Environmental Health & Safety
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.
047 Biological Sciences II
Dayton, OH 45435
Office: 937-775-2797
Cell: 937-239-7936
marjorie.markopoulos**At_Symbol_Here**wright.edu
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