B(a)P
International Hazard
Posts: 1116
Registered: 29-9-2019
Member Is Online
Mood: Festive
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Never be complacent around hot conc nitric acid!
This morning I was undertaking a procedure that I have done many times before. It calls for an addition to a conc nitric acid solution at 75 C. I got
distracted and didn't hear my temperate alarm and the temp climbed to 88 C - first mistake. As I was short on time I didn't wait for the solution to
fully cool - second mistake. I made the addition at about 85 C as soon as the first portion went in I saw the violent bubbling begin. I was just able
to turn my back and move about half a metre away before the contents eject into the air with a fine spray landing on my back and a cloud of NOx being
released. Because of the nature of the chemicals I was working with I had a coat on and full face respirator with ABEK 2 respirator. I had no idea
just how close the procedure was pushing it with that reaction. Thankfully no physical damage (except my coat) and I will never again be so careless!
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j_sum1
Administrator
Posts: 6222
Registered: 4-10-2014
Location: Unmoved
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Mood: Organised
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Thanks it is the familiarity that gets you. Every time.
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G-Coupled
Hazard to Others
Posts: 287
Registered: 9-3-2017
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Mood: Slightly triturated
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Them's some harsh reaction conditions - what was the experiment, as a matter of interest?
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chemist1243
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Registered: 7-8-2019
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that sounds terrifiying. ive made a few energetic materials here and there as well as distilled some nitric acid, but never had any incidents like
this. goes to show, just because it hasnt happend doesnt mean it wont.
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B(a)P
International Hazard
Posts: 1116
Registered: 29-9-2019
Member Is Online
Mood: Festive
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Preparation of mercury fulminate. It occurred at the point where I added the ethanol.
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sodium_stearate
Hazard to Others
Posts: 255
Registered: 22-4-2011
Location: guard duty at the checkpoint
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Mood: No mask.
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Seriously? I would recommend reading the account of
the frenchman who blew himself up making mercury
fulminate some time around the 1890s. Many years after the det.
part of his arm was found in the gutter of a building across
the street from where he'd been making that.
So, B(a)P, apparently you've had a minor little
wreck already, and as of right now at least you are still
walking, talking, and writing posts...
FYI: It obviously does not always turn out that way....
Just sayin'......
[Edited on 2-12-2019 by sodium_stearate]
"Opportunity is missed by most people
because it is dressed in overalls and it
looks like work" T.A. Edison
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XeonTheMGPony
International Hazard
Posts: 1636
Registered: 5-1-2016
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Mood: No Mood
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that seems like a very odd way asking for trouble, for fulminated Mercury I mix the two when some what warm then gently heat till it kicks off, and
then allow it to do its thing
but yes attentiveness is the difference between leaving for the day to enjoy ones bed or ending in the morgue!
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