DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2006 10:47:52 -0400
Reply-To: ILPI <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: ILPI <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>
Subject: Re: Steam at Chemistry Bench and FH
In-Reply-To: <001d01c65981$7edace80$27fea8c0**At_Symbol_Here**HERA.COM>
>Are there good, safe alternatives to steam outlets in fume hoods and at
>student benches for heating volatile chemicals? Does anyone still use
>steam? We are renovating an old chemistry building and considering removing
>a poorly performing steam system. What would you suggest?
>
>Janet S. Baum, AIA, ACS DivCHAS
>Health, Education + Research Associates, Inc.
>Saint Louis, MO
I discuss laboratory heating methods here:
http://www.ilpi.com/inorganic/glassware/
No mention of steam, as it is rather archaic. As discussed in my
write-up, all heating methods have inherent dangers, so it's a matter
of balancing the risk.
As a former chemistry professor, I'd say you want to train your
students to use what real chemists use in the real world. And in my
experience that is heating mantles with proportional voltage
controllers.
If you had the money (at an academic institution...HAHAHAHAHAHA, good
one, Rob), the fume hood installations would be "explosion proof" as
they are in (state of the art) industry. For example, all electrical
contacts/controls on the outside of the hood, air-driven stirrer
systems rather than electric motor-driven magnetic stirrers etc. etc.
Gee, I need to add that last paragraph to my write-up, don't I?
Rob Toreki
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