Debbie

Just looked at the specs -

You need to verify that the silicone rubber is resistant to ALL of the solvents in the suite

The tape operates at 120v; thus, any classification requirement for inside the hood (probably none) will not be met

The controller must be within 5 feet of the tape - and the controller should NOT be in the hood

And, on all the time - prevention is much better than fixing

I can live with this set-up. It needs to be inspected (documented) quarterly, paying particular attention to the integrity of the silicone and all electrical insulation.

me

Hi:

My newest researcher will be using a column purification system to purify his suite of solvents for organic synthesis.  One of those is DMSO.  It freezes at about room temperature.  He wishes to use a heating tape to keep it gooey enough to go through the column.  Here's what he's proposing to use:  http://bit.ly/1WyMYFX

I'm inclined to say go ahead, so long as he installs this column at the end of the rack and in proximity to the least flammable of the other solvents.  I'm also wondering if he should just have it on at low temperature all the time or wait until they have a problem and then thaw it using a heat gun.  I don't like the heat gun idea, particularly, but there are also risks associated with having something heating all the time.

What do ya'll think?

Thanks,

Debbie

Debbie M. Decker, CCHO, ACS Fellow

Chair, Division of Chemical Health and Safety

University of California, Davis

(530)754-7964

(530)304-6728

dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu

Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction

that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,

can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."