FAQ
Safety tips for ethylene cylinders in the laboratory during summer
Ethylene (C ₂ H ₄) is a flammable and explosive gas (explosion limit 2.7%~36%). In high temperature environments during summer, the safety management of its steel cylinders should focus on preventing pressure surges, leaks, and explosion risks caused by temperature increases. The following are safety tips for ethylene cylinders in summer laboratory:
1、 Storage: Strictly control temperature and environment, eliminate fire sources
1. Temperature upper limit "red line"
The storage temperature of ethylene steel cylinders must not exceed 30 ℃ (much lower than the outdoor temperature in summer afternoons), and must be stored in a cool and ventilated dedicated gas cylinder room, avoiding direct sunlight (sun visors can be installed or covered with insulation materials).
If there is no dedicated gas cylinder room in the laboratory, the gas cylinder should be placed in an air-conditioned room to ensure stable ambient temperature and kept away from heat sources such as ovens, heating jackets, radiators, etc. (distance ≥ 10 meters).
2. Isolation and fixation
Ethylene is a flammable gas and needs to be stored separately from oxygen, chlorine, oxidants, and other combustion supporting gas cylinders (with a distance of ≥ 5 meters), and with a distance of ≥ 15 meters from ignition sources (such as alcohol lamps and gas stoves).
Steel cylinders must be fixed upright (locked with iron chains or specialized brackets). In summer, the ground is damp and prone to slipping, so anti slip pads should be placed at the bottom of the cylinder to prevent tipping and collision (collisions with ethylene steel cylinders may cause valve breakage, instant leakage, and explosion).
3. Ventilation priority
Explosion proof exhaust fans (non explosion proof appliances may generate electric sparks) should be installed in the storage area, and ventilation should be carried out at least twice a day for more than 30 minutes each time to prevent the accumulation of explosive mixtures after ethylene leakage.
2、 Usage: Detail leakage prevention, operation should not violate regulations
1. "Three checks" before use
Check the cylinder body: Check whether the steel cylinder has exceeded the inspection cycle (the inspection cycle for ethylene steel cylinders is 3 years), and whether the cylinder body has corrosion, deformation, or scratches (high humidity in summer can accelerate corrosion, and regular wiping and drying are necessary).
Check the valve and accessories: The valve sealing ring is prone to aging at high temperatures. Apply soapy water to the interface (valve, pressure reducing valve, pipeline connection point) and observe for bubbles (it is strictly prohibited to use open flames for leakage testing); The pressure reducing valve must be used exclusively (prohibited from mixing with other gases), and the pressure gauge must be within the valid calibration period (once a year).
Check pressure: The rated pressure of ethylene steel cylinders is usually 15MPa. High temperatures in summer may cause an increase in internal pressure. If the pressure gauge reading exceeds 16MPa before use, it must be cooled down first and the valve must not be forcibly opened.
2. Operation of the "Four Taboos"
Do not open the valve quickly: When opening the valve, rotate it slowly (no more than 1.5 turns) to prevent static sparks caused by excessive airflow.
Avoid open flame operation: When using ethylene, open flames are strictly prohibited in the laboratory, and welding, cutting, and other hot work operations are not allowed nearby. Explosion proof equipment (such as explosion-proof refrigerators and sockets) must be used.
Avoid excessive depletion: The remaining pressure in the gas cylinder should be kept at * * ≥ 0.1MPa * * (low pressure in summer can easily cause air backflow and form flammable mixtures), and it is strictly prohibited to completely exhaust the gas.
Do not use it lying down: If the ethylene steel cylinder is placed lying down, the valve may be blocked by liquid (a small amount of liquefied ethylene). After returning to an upright position, it should be left to stand for 30 minutes before use to avoid danger caused by liquid spraying.
3、 Leakage emergency: rapid response, cutting off risks
1. Early detection of leaks
Ethylene has a slight sweet taste. If an abnormal odor is detected or a laboratory combustible gas alarm (which needs to be installed in advance) is triggered, the source of the leak should be immediately identified.
Wearing and removing clothes in summer can easily generate static electricity. If a leak is found, it is strictly prohibited to turn on or off electrical appliances or touch metal objects (including lights and exhaust fans) to avoid sparks.
2. Emergency "three-step method"
Valve closing: Wear insulated gloves (to prevent electric shock), quickly close the main valve of the steel cylinder (clockwise rotation), and cut off the gas source.
Ventilation: Open the laboratory doors and windows (avoid touching metal handles, use insulation rods for assistance), start the explosion-proof exhaust fan (if confirmed safe), and allow ethylene to diffuse outdoors (ethylene density is close to air, ventilation needs to be done up and down simultaneously).
Evacuation and alarm: Personnel should immediately evacuate to a safe area, close the laboratory door, and strictly prohibit unrelated personnel from entering. If there is a large leakage or fire, call 119 and contact the laboratory safety officer.
4、 Summer Special Care: Targeted Measures
Avoid direct sunlight during transportation: When handling ethylene steel cylinders in summer, it is necessary to cover them with sunshade cloth and transport them during low temperature periods in the morning and evening. It is prohibited to store them in the car for a long time (high temperatures inside the car may cause a sudden increase in pressure).
Shorten storage period: In summer, try to reduce the amount of ethylene steel cylinders stored in the laboratory, collect them as needed, and return empty cylinders in a timely manner to avoid backlog.
Daily 'Morning Check': In summer, the temperature rises rapidly. After work, check the temperature in the gas cylinder room, the fixation of the gas cylinder, and whether there is any leakage. Repeat the inspection during the high temperature period in the afternoon.
Key Reminder
Ethylene has a wide explosion limit and low ignition energy (only 0.096mJ), and high temperature and static electricity in summer are the main risk sources. The laboratory needs to ensure that the operators are familiar with emergency procedures and eliminate violations of "convenient" operations (such as unsecured or mixed attachments) in order to fundamentally prevent accidents.
1、 Storage: Strictly control temperature and environment, eliminate fire sources
1. Temperature upper limit "red line"
The storage temperature of ethylene steel cylinders must not exceed 30 ℃ (much lower than the outdoor temperature in summer afternoons), and must be stored in a cool and ventilated dedicated gas cylinder room, avoiding direct sunlight (sun visors can be installed or covered with insulation materials).
If there is no dedicated gas cylinder room in the laboratory, the gas cylinder should be placed in an air-conditioned room to ensure stable ambient temperature and kept away from heat sources such as ovens, heating jackets, radiators, etc. (distance ≥ 10 meters).
2. Isolation and fixation
Ethylene is a flammable gas and needs to be stored separately from oxygen, chlorine, oxidants, and other combustion supporting gas cylinders (with a distance of ≥ 5 meters), and with a distance of ≥ 15 meters from ignition sources (such as alcohol lamps and gas stoves).
Steel cylinders must be fixed upright (locked with iron chains or specialized brackets). In summer, the ground is damp and prone to slipping, so anti slip pads should be placed at the bottom of the cylinder to prevent tipping and collision (collisions with ethylene steel cylinders may cause valve breakage, instant leakage, and explosion).
3. Ventilation priority
Explosion proof exhaust fans (non explosion proof appliances may generate electric sparks) should be installed in the storage area, and ventilation should be carried out at least twice a day for more than 30 minutes each time to prevent the accumulation of explosive mixtures after ethylene leakage.
2、 Usage: Detail leakage prevention, operation should not violate regulations
1. "Three checks" before use
Check the cylinder body: Check whether the steel cylinder has exceeded the inspection cycle (the inspection cycle for ethylene steel cylinders is 3 years), and whether the cylinder body has corrosion, deformation, or scratches (high humidity in summer can accelerate corrosion, and regular wiping and drying are necessary).
Check the valve and accessories: The valve sealing ring is prone to aging at high temperatures. Apply soapy water to the interface (valve, pressure reducing valve, pipeline connection point) and observe for bubbles (it is strictly prohibited to use open flames for leakage testing); The pressure reducing valve must be used exclusively (prohibited from mixing with other gases), and the pressure gauge must be within the valid calibration period (once a year).
Check pressure: The rated pressure of ethylene steel cylinders is usually 15MPa. High temperatures in summer may cause an increase in internal pressure. If the pressure gauge reading exceeds 16MPa before use, it must be cooled down first and the valve must not be forcibly opened.
2. Operation of the "Four Taboos"
Do not open the valve quickly: When opening the valve, rotate it slowly (no more than 1.5 turns) to prevent static sparks caused by excessive airflow.
Avoid open flame operation: When using ethylene, open flames are strictly prohibited in the laboratory, and welding, cutting, and other hot work operations are not allowed nearby. Explosion proof equipment (such as explosion-proof refrigerators and sockets) must be used.
Avoid excessive depletion: The remaining pressure in the gas cylinder should be kept at * * ≥ 0.1MPa * * (low pressure in summer can easily cause air backflow and form flammable mixtures), and it is strictly prohibited to completely exhaust the gas.
Do not use it lying down: If the ethylene steel cylinder is placed lying down, the valve may be blocked by liquid (a small amount of liquefied ethylene). After returning to an upright position, it should be left to stand for 30 minutes before use to avoid danger caused by liquid spraying.
3、 Leakage emergency: rapid response, cutting off risks
1. Early detection of leaks
Ethylene has a slight sweet taste. If an abnormal odor is detected or a laboratory combustible gas alarm (which needs to be installed in advance) is triggered, the source of the leak should be immediately identified.
Wearing and removing clothes in summer can easily generate static electricity. If a leak is found, it is strictly prohibited to turn on or off electrical appliances or touch metal objects (including lights and exhaust fans) to avoid sparks.
2. Emergency "three-step method"
Valve closing: Wear insulated gloves (to prevent electric shock), quickly close the main valve of the steel cylinder (clockwise rotation), and cut off the gas source.
Ventilation: Open the laboratory doors and windows (avoid touching metal handles, use insulation rods for assistance), start the explosion-proof exhaust fan (if confirmed safe), and allow ethylene to diffuse outdoors (ethylene density is close to air, ventilation needs to be done up and down simultaneously).
Evacuation and alarm: Personnel should immediately evacuate to a safe area, close the laboratory door, and strictly prohibit unrelated personnel from entering. If there is a large leakage or fire, call 119 and contact the laboratory safety officer.
4、 Summer Special Care: Targeted Measures
Avoid direct sunlight during transportation: When handling ethylene steel cylinders in summer, it is necessary to cover them with sunshade cloth and transport them during low temperature periods in the morning and evening. It is prohibited to store them in the car for a long time (high temperatures inside the car may cause a sudden increase in pressure).
Shorten storage period: In summer, try to reduce the amount of ethylene steel cylinders stored in the laboratory, collect them as needed, and return empty cylinders in a timely manner to avoid backlog.
Daily 'Morning Check': In summer, the temperature rises rapidly. After work, check the temperature in the gas cylinder room, the fixation of the gas cylinder, and whether there is any leakage. Repeat the inspection during the high temperature period in the afternoon.
Key Reminder
Ethylene has a wide explosion limit and low ignition energy (only 0.096mJ), and high temperature and static electricity in summer are the main risk sources. The laboratory needs to ensure that the operators are familiar with emergency procedures and eliminate violations of "convenient" operations (such as unsecured or mixed attachments) in order to fundamentally prevent accidents.
