Please look at the SOP on a similar topic...
http://www.ehs.ucr.edu/laboratory/quenching_reactive_metal_still_bottoms.html


Russell Vernon, Ph.D. 
russell.vernon**At_Symbol_Here**ucr.edu 
www.ehs.ucr.edu
(951) 827-5119

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Mubetcel
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 9:42 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Tulsa Lab Incident

John,
The method for decomposing sodium metal sound pretty dangerous if 
conducted improperly.  I was wondering if you could give some specifics of it, 
especially what not to do and the amounts, speed and the order of adding the 
chemicals you mention for those of us who might consider using this method.

I quote your word below:

"As a grad student, I cleaned out a lot of active metal + flammable solvent 
still flasks and found that the best way to decompose the metal is to add 
dichloromethane, 2-propanol and water. The dichloromethane blankets the 
metal and prevents a fire from starting. The 2-propanol acts as a phase 
transfer catalyst and the water decomposes the metal. I never had a fire with 
this technique."

Thank you very much in advance.
Mubetcel

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