Is ethylene oxide gas flammable?
Is ethylene oxide gas flammable?
Ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) is a flammable gas with a somewhat sweet odor. Exposure to ethylene oxide may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulty, drowsiness, weakness, exhaustion, eye and skin burns, frostbite, and reproductive effects. Workers may be harmed from exposure to ethylene oxide.
What is the LEL for ethylene oxide?
Lower explosive limit: 3.0%, upper explosive limit: 100%. Explosion hazard: severe, when exposed to flame.
Can ethylene oxide explode?
If EtO is inadvertently “overfed” into the emissions control device at rates or concentrations higher than the device safely can handle, concentrations of the gas may reach flammable levels. If that occurs, heat sources in the emissions control device may trigger an explosion.
Is ethylene oxide a gas at room temperature?
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a gas at room temperature. There are two key uses for ethylene oxide: 1) It is used to make other chemicals that produce many everyday products and 2) It is used to sterilize devices that can’t be sterilized using steam, such as some medical and dental equipment.
Is ethylene oxide explosive when exposed to air?
Highly flammable, severe explosion hazard when exposed to flame. Rapid compression of the vapor with air causes explosion. Ethylene oxide vapor may be initiated into explosive decomposition in absence of air [Hess, L. G., et al., Ind.
Is EtO heat sensitive?
ETO is used in healthcare facilities to sterilize critical items (and sometimes semicritical items) that are moisture or heat sensitive and cannot be sterilized by steam sterilization.
Is ethylene oxide poisonous to humans?
Chronic (long-term) exposure to ethylene oxide in humans can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and damage to the brain and nervous system. There also is some evidence linking ethylene oxide exposure to reproductive effects.
What temp does ethylene oxide evaporate?
Ethylene oxide
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Melting point | −112.46 °C (−170.43 °F; 160.69 K) |
| Boiling point | 10.4 °C (50.7 °F; 283.5 K) |
| Solubility in water | Miscible |
| Vapor pressure | 1.46 atm (20 °C) |
What is EtO sterilization used for?
What is the auto-ignition temperature?
The Auto-ignition Temperature – or. “the minimum temperature required to ignite a gas or vapor in air without a spark or flame being present”. are indicated for common fuels and chemicals below: The flammable (explosive) range is the range of a gas or vapor concentration that will burn or explode if an ignition source is introduced.
What are the parameters of ethylene oxide gas sterilization?
Ethylene Oxide “Gas” Sterilization. Overview. ETO is a colorless gas that is flammable and explosive. The four essential parameters (operational ranges) are: gas concentration (450 to 1200 mg/l); temperature (37 to 63°C); relative humidity (40 to 80%)(water molecules carry ETO to reactive sites); and exposure time (1 to 6 hours).
What are the hazards of ethylene oxide?
Hazards. Highly flammable, severe explosion hazard when exposed to flame. The autoignition temperature may be as low as 140° C in presence of rust. Rapid compression of the vapor with air causes explosion. Ethylene oxide vapor may be initiated into explosive decomposition in absence of air [Hess, L. G., et al., Ind. Eng. Chem., 1950, 42, p. 1251].
What is the autoignition temperature of butane?
The autoignition point for some common fuels and chemicals butane, coke, hydrogen, petroleum and more Fuel or Chemical Autoignition Temperature (oC) Gas oil 336 Gasoline, Petrol 246 – 280 Glycerol 370 Gun Cotton 221
