A caveat when using bicarbonate/carbonate to neutralize acidic wastes is
the carbon dioxide must be fully released from solution before storage.
If this is not done there can be significant pressure buildup in the
container. This can result in deformation of the container or possible
eruption or splashing when the container is opened.

Dave Lane
Principal
Clavis Technology Development

On 7/15/21 11:09 AM, Patricia Leach wrote:
> Thanks for the info!
>
> From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety On Behalf Of Gibbs, Greglynn Dainelle
> Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 12:43 PM
> To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
> Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] Nitric Acid Disposal
>
> **External Email**
> Hello Patricia,
>
> Apologies. I received a message that my previous email could not be delivered because I included an attachment.
>
> Again, I strongly suggest neutralizing with sodium bicarbonate, and then storing. This is common practice for acidic/basic wastes. Additionally, leaving a waste container open/vented is against OSHA policy, as waste should always be neutralized and stored properly. If the waste contains any flammable substances, it must be stored with flammable waste. If the volumes produced are small enough, you can probably separate the organic from the aqueous layer (post-neutralization) and store the flammable organic waste accordingly. It would probably be prudent to neutralize the waste after each experiment instead of collecting and waiting to neutralize in bulk.
>
> Here is the link to a very helpful document that you can modify for your specific procedure and needs, including waste tracking. The document also contains links to specific references for neutralization and handling of nitric acid wastes.
>
> Bench top Treatment Neutralization Procedure for Nitric Acid<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__eta-2Dsafety.lbl.gov_sites_default_files_Nitric-2520Acid-2520Neutralization-2520Procedure-2520Template.doc&d=DwMF-g&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=-wkB7YdHKSKidOzgHrEUk4mZ2DZuR9u1r8X917JJh2o&m=hGTCkWq2kMPk6V5Q2G7SYbCrUbXWcFxSqjPdZFCWH84&s=9Gv1mDy7X4DtJ4pc3_u53dkK9Q04I5NyrtkgffJ1IvY&e=>
>
>
> As long as you remain calm, PPE up, and work in the hood with secondary containment in case of spill, you should be fine. Panic and stress yields accidents.
>
> Best,
> Greglynn
>
>
>
> Greglynn Gibbs
> Research Technologist & Lab Manager - Chemistry
>
> Penn State Berks
> 106A Luerssen Building
> Tulpehocken Road, P.O. Box 7009
> Reading, PA 19610
> Office: (610) 396-6363
>
> http://www.bk.psu.edu
>
> ________________________________
> From: Gibbs, Greglynn Dainelle >
> Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 1:00 PM
> To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU >
> Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] Nitric Acid Disposal
>
> Hello Patricia,
>
> Again, I strongly suggest neutralizing with sodium bicarbonate, and then storing. This is common practice for acidic/basic wastes. Additionally, leaving a waste container open/vented is against OSHA policy, as waste should always be neutralized and stored properly. If the waste contains any flammable substances, it must be stored with flammable waste. If the volumes produced are small enough, you can probably separate the organic from the aqueous layer (post-neutralization) and store the flammable organic waste accordingly. It would probably be prudent to neutralize the waste after each experiment instead of collecting and waiting to neutralize in bulk.
>
> I have attached a document that you can modify for your specific procedure and needs, including waste tracking. The document also contains links to specific references for neutralization and handling of nitric acid wastes.
>
> As long as you remain calm, PPE up, and work in the hood with secondary containment in case of spill, you should be fine. Panic and stress yields accidents.
>
> Best,
> Greglynn
>
>
>
>
>
> Greglynn Gibbs
> Research Technologist & Lab Manager - Chemistry
>
> Penn State Berks
> 106A Luerssen Building
> Tulpehocken Road, P.O. Box 7009
> Reading, PA 19610
> Office: (610) 396-6363
>
> http://www.bk.psu.edu
>
> ________________________________
> From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety > on behalf of Samuella Sigmann >
> Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 9:58 AM
> To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU >
> Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] Nitric Acid Disposal
>
> I would suggest a vented cap on the waste bottle.
> S-
> On 7/15/2021 9:33 AM, Patricia Leach wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I had a question from one of the organic chemists here about how to store the waste from a nitration using nitric acid in a dichloromentane/acetic acid solvent. He says there are several examples of this nitration in the literature, but I am still wary. While the reaction is open to the atmosphere, I am worried about storing it until it can be disposed of. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
>
>
> Patricia Leach
>
>
> Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator
>
>
> Campus Operations and Safety
>
>
> P: 903.468.3278
>
> C: 316.644.8255
>
>
>
>
>
> Mail: P.O. Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> ******************************************************************************
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> Non-Tenure Track Faculty - Qualified to cook the meals and wash the dishes, but not eat at the table.
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>
>
> Samuella B. Sigmann, MS, NRCC-CHO
>
> Fellow & 2019 Chair, ACS Division of Chemical Health & Safety<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fdchas.org-252F-26data-3D04-257C01-257Cgdw104-2540PSU.EDU-257C7025fc4f82474276804208d9479903a6-257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e-257C0-257C0-257C637619544780606487-257CUnknown-257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0-253D-257C3000-26sdata-3Dc2akjKLPQVOlFbFI-252FhcJA0dhDwxKAPud8ADiHn5ILEo-253D-26reserved-3D0&d=DwMF-g&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=-wkB7YdHKSKidOzgHrEUk4mZ2DZuR9u1r8X917JJh2o&m=hGTCkWq2kMPk6V5Q2G7SYbCrUbXWcFxSqjPdZFCWH84&s=jCg-v6DqQKRFmsXEN8gUy_CPJW1qXwUJgP3ukOyrItc&e=>
>
> Senior Lecturer/Safety Committee Chair/Director of Stockroom
>
> Chemistry
>
> Appalachian State University
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> Phone: 828 262 2755
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