How do I safely store acetone for laboratory use?

How do I safely store acetone for laboratory use?

Acetone is a commonly used organic compound that is widely used in various chemical experiments in the laboratory, such as as a solvent, extractant or reagent. Acetone is flammable, volatile and irritating to the skin, so special attention should be paid to safety during storage. This article will analyze in detail how to safely store acetone for laboratory use and provide some practical advice.

1. Understand the physical and chemical properties of acetone

Before discussing storage methods, we first need to understand the basic physical and chemical properties of acetone. Acetone is a colorless, flammable, volatile liquid with a special odor. It has a boiling point of 56.5°C and a melting point of -94.9°C. Acetone is highly flammable to air, and its vapor and air mixture can easily cause an explosion when it encounters an open flame or static electricity. Therefore, when storing acetone, environmental conditions must be strictly controlled to avoid the risk of fire and explosion.

2. Storage conditions requirements

In order to ensure the safe storage of acetone, the following conditions must be met:

(1) Temperature control

The boiling point of acetone is low and easy to volatilize, so the temperature of the storage environment should be controlled below the boiling point of acetone, that is, below 56.5 ℃. Generally, the ambient temperature for storing acetone in the laboratory should be maintained between 20°C and 25°C to avoid rapid volatilization of acetone or vapor accumulation due to high temperatures.

(2) Humidity control

Acetone is sensitive to humidity, and high humidity may cause acetone to react with water to form other substances, which may affect its purity and performance. Therefore, the storage environment should be kept dry to prevent moisture or moisture from entering the storage container.

(3) Ventilation requirements

Acetone vapor is highly flammable and harmful to human health. Therefore, the storage room must maintain good ventilation conditions to avoid the accumulation of acetone vapor. A fume hood or other ventilation equipment should be installed in the laboratory to ensure that the acetone vapor is discharged in time.

(4) Keep away from fire source

Acetone is a flammable liquid and must be kept away from sources of fire and heat. Avoid mixing acetone with other flammable materials in the laboratory, and prohibit the use of open flames or smoking in the storage area.

3. Storage container selection

Choosing the right storage container is the key to ensure the safe storage of acetone. Here are some notes:

(1) Material requirements

Acetone is corrosive to some materials, so the storage container must be made of corrosion resistant materials, such as stainless steel, polyethylene or glass. Avoid using aluminum alloy or other materials that are easily corroded by acetone.

(2) Tightness

The storage container must have a good seal to prevent the volatilization of acetone. The lid of the container should be tightly closed to prevent moisture or other impurities in the air from entering the container.

(3) Label identification

The name, concentration, storage date and other information of acetone shall be clearly marked on the container, and the safety data label (SDS) shall be attached. This ensures that in an emergency, personnel can quickly understand the nature of the material in the container and take the correct countermeasures.

4. Storage environment requirements

The laboratory storage environment must meet the requirements for safe storage of acetone:

(1) Laboratory ventilation

The laboratory should install an efficient ventilation system to ensure that the acetone vapor can be discharged in time. Especially in the storage and handling of acetone, it is necessary to use a fume hood or other local exhaust equipment.

(2) Fire protection facilities

The area where acetone is stored should be equipped with complete fire protection facilities, such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets. The laboratory should install fire alarm devices to detect and extinguish fires in an emergency.

(3) Storage space layout

The acetone storage space in the laboratory should be separated from other hazardous chemicals to avoid cross-contamination or accidental reactions. Acetone should be stored away from sources of fire, heat and direct sunlight to prevent danger from rising temperatures.

5. Storage process precautions

In the process of storing acetone, the following points need to be paid attention:

(1) Avoid light

Acetone is sensitive to light and prone to photochemical reactions. Therefore, storage containers should avoid direct exposure to sunlight or strong light sources.

(2) Periodic inspection

Regularly check the tightness of the storage container to ensure that there is no leakage or breakage. If the container is found to be aging or cracked, it should be replaced immediately and the old container should be properly disposed.

(3) Treatment of leakage

If a leak occurs during storage, immediate measures should be taken to deal with it. Cut off the fire source and power supply, and handle with explosion-proof tools. Then, use sand or inert materials to absorb the leaked acetone and transfer it to a safe place for disposal.

(4) Waste disposal

When acetone approaches its end of life or needs to be discarded, it should be disposed of in accordance with the laboratory's safety regulations. Acetone cannot be dumped at will and must be handled by a professional hazardous waste treatment company.

6. Summary

Through the above analysis, it can be seen that the storage of acetone requires comprehensive consideration of temperature, humidity, ventilation, fire prevention, container selection and storage environment and other factors. Only in strict accordance with the safety norms of storage and management, in order to ensure the safe operation of the laboratory, to avoid accidents caused by improper storage of acetone.

As an important laboratory chemical, the safe storage of acetone is an important part of laboratory safety management. Laboratory personnel must have relevant knowledge and skills to ensure the safety and standardization of the storage process of acetone, and to provide guarantee for the smooth progress of the experiment.