How to safely store acrylonitrile

Acrylonitrile (Acrylonitrile) is an important chemical raw material, widely used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic rubber and textile fibers. Acrylonitrile is also a flammable, volatile chemical with potential environmental and health hazards. Therefore, the safe storage of acrylonitrile is essential for factories and storage facilities. In this article, we will discuss how to safely store acrylonitrile to ensure that its storage environment is safe and stable, and meets the requirements of relevant regulations.

1. Storage environment temperature control

The storage temperature of acrylonitrile should be strictly controlled because it is flammable and more volatile at higher temperatures. It is usually recommended to store acrylonitrile in a cool, well-ventilated place, the ideal storage temperature is 15-25°C. If the temperature is too high, the vapor pressure of acrylonitrile will rise, increasing the risk of explosion and fire. Therefore, storage facilities should be equipped with temperature control equipment to ensure that the temperature is always maintained within a safe range. In order to prevent excessive temperature fluctuations, the storage area should also avoid direct sunlight or too close to heat sources.

2. Fire and explosion prevention measures

Because acrylonitrile is a flammable liquid, strict fire and explosion prevention measures must be taken in storage places. Containers for storing acrylonitrile shall be made of corrosion-resistant metal materials (such as stainless steel or specific carbon steel materials) and equipped with fire protection equipment. Storage areas should be kept away from any potential sources of ignition, including open flames, electrical equipment and static electricity. In order to further reduce the risk of fire, the storage site should be equipped with an explosion-proof ventilation system to discharge harmful gases in time to avoid explosion due to gas accumulation. For the prevention of static electricity, ensure good grounding during storage to avoid sparks.

3. Container and equipment tightness

Acrylonitrile is highly volatile and its vapors are harmful to humans, so it is important to maintain the tightness of storage containers and related equipment. The tank used to store acrylonitrile must have good sealing properties to prevent leakage or evaporation. The tightness of the vessel and piping system shall be checked regularly to ensure that it is intact. Once a leak is found, immediate measures should be taken to repair it and any leaked acrylonitrile should be quickly cleaned up to avoid harm to the environment and human body.

4. Safety protection and emergency measures

Acrylonitrile is harmful to human health, especially through inhalation or skin contact. Therefore, in areas where acrylonitrile is stored, workers must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective gloves, protective glasses and gas masks. The storage area should also be equipped with emergency eyewash and emergency spray device to remove the contact acrylonitrile in time in case of leakage. A comprehensive emergency plan must be formulated, including response measures for fire, leakage and personnel poisoning, and emergency drills must be carried out regularly to ensure that all staff are familiar with the operation process.

5. Regulations and Standards Compliance

The safe storage of acrylonitrile is not only a technical problem, but also requires strict compliance with local and international laws and regulations. For example, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have clear regulations that require facilities that store and handle acrylonitrile to comply with specific safety standards. In China, the regulations on the safety management of hazardous chemicals and the list of hazardous chemicals also have strict requirements on the storage of acrylonitrile. Therefore, ensuring that facilities comply with these regulations not only improves safety, but also avoids legal risks and financial losses.

6. Acrylonitrile identification and isolation

In order to prevent misoperation or accidents, acrylonitrile storage containers must have clear identification, indicating its chemical composition, dangerous nature and emergency treatment methods. Acrylonitrile should usually be stored separately from other chemicals, especially oxidants, strong acids, etc., which may trigger dangerous reactions. The storage area should have obvious safety signs and restrict the entry of irrelevant personnel to reduce the possibility of accidents.

Conclusion

How to safely store acrylonitrile is an important issue facing the chemical industry, involving temperature control, fire and explosion prevention, sealing maintenance and the formulation of emergency plans. By strictly following the relevant storage specifications and laws and regulations, it can effectively reduce the safety hazards caused by acrylonitrile and ensure the safety of workers, equipment and the environment.