One
of our Scientists came across a piece of information in the manual of a
centrifuge he was using stating use of solvents in the centrifuge is not
allowed. Currently nobody makes an explosion proof centrifuge (the
re
have been models in the past). Now
I'9m pretty sure plenty of flammable solvents are put into centri
fuges, so the
question is this: Has
anyone experienced a problem with flammable solvents catching on fire or
explosions in centrifuges, how common is this? Anyone
have ways to mitigate this if it is a problem? <
/P>
Thanks
Carole
Herriott
I DON'T HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH LABORATORY CENTRIFUGES, BUT IN INDU
STRY
CENTRIFUGES HANDLING FLAMMABLE SOLVENTS ARE VERY COMMON, AND THEY ARE INER
TED
(USUALLY WITH NITROGEN) TO PREVENT A FIRE OR EXPLOSION, AND USUALLY INSTRU
MENTED
TO ASSURE THAT THE INERTING WILL WORK. i WROTE AN ARTICLE ON THIS A FEW YE
ARS
AGO, WHICH APPEARS IN PROCES SAFETY PROGRESS. YOU CAN DO A GOOGLE SEARCH
ON
"INERTING OF CENTRIFUGES' AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THE REF
ERENCE
TO MY ARTICLE.
I BELIEVE THAT LABORATORY CENTRIFUGES CAN PROBABLY ALSO BE INERT
ED,
SIMILARLY TO INDUSTRIAL ONES.
STAN GROSSEL
PROCESS SAFETY & DESIGN CONSULTANT
In a message dated 6/3/2011 9:53:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
Carole.Herriott**At_Symbol_Here**WEYERHAEUSER.COM writes:
=
Enviromental
Health and Safety Technician
Weyerhaeuser Technology Center
32901
Weyerhaeuser Way S
Mailstop: 1B22(office)
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 924-5401 (office)
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