Difference between revisions of "Nitrous Oxide"
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==[[Fire/Explosion]] Hazards== | ==[[Fire/Explosion]] Hazards== | ||
| − | Above 1200 F the | + | Above 1200 F the N<sub>2</sub>O could explosively decompose at one atmosphere pressure. |
"Decomposition to N2 and O2 will occur at a lower temperature (approximately 650dF), if oxides of silver, copper and nickel are present. Some of these oxides may result from soldering or brazing operations"<ref>[http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/nitrous/nitrous_data_sheet.shtml Nitrous Oxide Material Safety Data Sheet]</ref>. | "Decomposition to N2 and O2 will occur at a lower temperature (approximately 650dF), if oxides of silver, copper and nickel are present. Some of these oxides may result from soldering or brazing operations"<ref>[http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/nitrous/nitrous_data_sheet.shtml Nitrous Oxide Material Safety Data Sheet]</ref>. | ||
| − | However, different MSDS sheets say different things. The newer 2005 MSDS from Air | + | However, different MSDS sheets say different things. The newer 2005 MSDS from Air Liquide says that explosive decomposition can occur at temperatures below 300 degc when under pressure<ref>http://encyclopedia.airliquide.com/sds/en/093A_AL_EN.pdf 2005 MSDS from Air Liquid - Nitrous Oxide]</ref>. |
===Chemical/physical (Imported from Wikipedia)=== | ===Chemical/physical (Imported from Wikipedia)=== | ||
| − | At room temperature (20°C) the saturated vapour pressure is 58.5 bar, rising up to 72.45 bar at 36.4°C- the [[critical temperature]]. The pressure curve is thus unusually sensitive to temperature.<ref>[http://encyclopedia.airliquide.com/ | + | At room temperature (20°C) the saturated vapour pressure is 58.5 bar, rising up to 72.45 bar at 36.4°C- the [[critical temperature]]. The pressure curve is thus unusually sensitive to temperature.<ref>[http://encyclopedia.airliquide.com/images_encyclopedie/VaporPressureGraph/Nitrogen_Oxide_Vapor_Pressure.GIF Air Liquide data on Nitrous oxide]</ref> |
Liquid nitrous oxide acts as a good solvent for many [[organic compounds]]; liquid mixtures and may form shock sensitive explosives.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | Liquid nitrous oxide acts as a good solvent for many [[organic compounds]]; liquid mixtures and may form shock sensitive explosives.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | ||
Latest revision as of 20:10, 21 August 2007
There are many oxidizers which can cause hazards.
Example:
On 26th July 2007 an explosion ocurred at the Scaled Compostes facility at Mojave Airport in California involving Nitrous Oxide[1] [2].
Fire/Explosion Hazards
Above 1200 F the N2O could explosively decompose at one atmosphere pressure.
"Decomposition to N2 and O2 will occur at a lower temperature (approximately 650dF), if oxides of silver, copper and nickel are present. Some of these oxides may result from soldering or brazing operations"[3].
However, different MSDS sheets say different things. The newer 2005 MSDS from Air Liquide says that explosive decomposition can occur at temperatures below 300 degc when under pressure[4].
Chemical/physical (Imported from Wikipedia)
At room temperature (20°C) the saturated vapour pressure is 58.5 bar, rising up to 72.45 bar at 36.4°C- the critical temperature. The pressure curve is thus unusually sensitive to temperature.[5]
Liquid nitrous oxide acts as a good solvent for many organic compounds; liquid mixtures and may form shock sensitive explosives.[citation needed]{{#if:||}}
As with many strong oxidisers, contamination of parts with fuels have been implicated in rocketry accidents, where small quantities of nitrous / fuel mixtures explode due to 'water hammer' like effects (sometimes called 'dieseling'- heating due to adiabatic compression of gases can reach decomposition temperatures).[6]
There have also been accidents where nitrous oxide decomposition in plumbing has led to the explosion of large tanks.[7]
References
- ↑ 3 DIE IN MOJAVE EXPLOSION
- ↑ Three people die in fatal explosion at Mojave Airport
- ↑ Nitrous Oxide Material Safety Data Sheet
- ↑ http://encyclopedia.airliquide.com/sds/en/093A_AL_EN.pdf 2005 MSDS from Air Liquid - Nitrous Oxide]
- ↑ Air Liquide data on Nitrous oxide
- ↑ vaseline triggered explosion of hybrid rocket
- ↑ Nitrous Oxide Trailer Rupture July 2, 2001 Report at CGA Seminar “Safety and Reliability of Industrial Gases, Equipment and Facilities”, October 15 -17, 2001, St. Louis, Missouri by Konrad Munke, LindeGas AG
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