Laboratory    
Health & Safety Committee     

Laboratory Safety Incidents: Gas Cylinders

Explosions Due to Incompatible Contents     Leaking Gas Cylinder     Carbon Dioxide Release       Projectile Cylinder     Regulator Explosion

Explosions Due to Incompatible Contents  (top)

Key Learning Points:

1.  Do not refill gas cylinders with highly reactive or corrosive compounds, including the original compound.

2.  Limit the amount of highly reactive, toxic, or flammable chemicals to the quantity necessary for planned experiments. 

Incident Description:  A steel lecture bottle located within a hood in a laboratory ruptured with explosive force. The explosion occurred at night and no one was present in the laboratory at the time of the incident. There was, however, significant damage to the lab hood. The gas cylinder contained methyl nitrite (CH3ONO), which had been synthesized and transferred to the cylinder by a postdoctoral researcher who had left the lab approximately 45 minutes prior to the explosion. After the methyl nitrite was transferred to the cylinder it was left at room temperature in the hood. Although methyl nitrite is known to be explosive when heated or exposed to flame, these conditions were not encountered during the synthesis or storage. The cylinder had originally been used to ship iodotrifluoromethane (CF3I) from the gas vendor, and most recently had been used to store nitrosyl chloride (ClNO). (Photo 1)

The Damage: The gas cylinder containing the methyl nitrite ruptured violently, blowing the top cylinder cap off at the weld seam, and twisting the body of the steel cylinder. The cylinder was blown through the front sill of the lab hood, while the blast from the explosion shattered the hood sash, blew off the cabinet doors located underneath the hood, and destroyed the back and top of the hood. The force of the explosion even bent a metal support bracket used to secure utility lines located above the hood. Additionally, the blast produced a crack in an adjacent wall (photo), just outside of the hood opening.

There were very few chemicals located either in the hood or in the cabinet underneath the hood, a fact that surely prevented a fire or significant chemical spill. Although it appears that there was a flash fire associated with the explosion, a sustained fire was probably prevented by the use of a flammable storage cabinet located away from the hood. The only chemical spill was an unknown quantity of ammonium hydroxide from a container that was broken by the blast. There was no free liquid remaining, indicating that the ammonium hydroxide volatilized and was captured by the hood, or surrounding cabinet materials absorbed the liquid. (Photo of damage to the lab hood).

The Cause: Although the cause of the cylinder rupture is not known for sure, several contributing factors have been considered. The major suspicion is potential reaction between methyl nitrite and reactive residues in the cylinder. Although the cylinder was evacuated prior to introduction of the methyl nitrite, the cylinder had previously stored iodotrifluoromethane and nitrosyl chloride, both of which could have potentially caused internal corrosion of the cylinder. Another possibility is that small leaks in the cryogenic transfer system may have allowed liquid oxygen to be deposited in the cylinder. Mechanical failure of the cylinder simply due to the pressure of the methyl nitrite is not thought to be likely since the maximum expected pressure was calculated and found to be within the range commonly stored in these type of cylinders. The deformed condition of the cylinder remains also seem to indicate a more violent explosion than would be expected from a simple mechanical failure.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations: Several lessons learned and recommendations were identified by the Principal Investigator, the Department Safety Committee, and the Safety Office.

1. The gas cylinder had been refilled with potentially corrosive gases.

Although steps were taken to evacuate the used gas cylinder, and high heat or pressure was not present, apparently the cylinder contained residues and reactive surfaces that initiated the chemical reaction that led to the explosion. Never refill gas cylinders with highly reactive or corrosive compounds, including the original compound contained in the cylinder.

2. The amount of methyl nitrite synthesized was far in excess of that required for the planned experiments.

Only a few grams of the methyl nitrite were required for the planned experiments; however, approximately 100 grams were synthesized. Limit the amount of highly reactive, toxic, or flammable chemicals to the quantity necessary for planned experiments, or that will be used within a few months. Avoid the use of these compounds whenever possible.

3. The procedure used to synthesize the methyl nitrite was modified slightly from the original published procedure.

Calcium chloride was used as a drying agent instead of the sodium sulfate used in the published procedure; however, this is not thought to have contributed to the incident. Probably more importantly, the reaction was run in a closed reaction.

4. Implement good laboratory safety procedures and emergency response preplanning.

Several general laboratory safety items were identified as either being related to the actual incident, or the response to the incident. These items included: posting of high hazard areas ("designated areas"), prior approval or review of laboratory experiments, proper chemical storage and availability of flammable storage cabinets, and emergency response procedures and training. These are all basic laboratory safety issues. Implementation of the good laboratory practices contained in the Chemical Hygiene Plan, Biosafety Manual, Radiation Safety Manual, and other laboratory safety references will reduce risks to laboratory personnel.

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Leaking Gas Cylinder  (top)

Carbon Dioxide Release  (top)

Key Learning Points:

1.  Use caution if you cannot remove a cylinder cap by
      hand.

The Health and Safety Office received an urgent phone call, reporting that a 60 pound carbon dioxide gas cylinder was venting inside a laboratory. According to lab personnel, the cylinder cap had not been removed from the time it was delivered by by the campus vendor. When the employees attempted to use the cylinder, they found that they were unable to remove the cap by hand. They tried to loosen the cap by inserting a long screwdriver through the slats of the cap for leverage. In doing so, the main valve was opened and it began to release its contents. Unfortunately, the cap stayed in place. The lab personnel tried again, unsuccessfully, to loosen the cap, then left the area and notified the Health and Safety. What did we learn from this incident? NEVER insert a tool into a cylinder cap in an attempt to open it. If you can't remove the cap by hand, call the vendor for assistance. If they are unavailable call your health and safety office. While CO₂ is not a flammable or highly toxic gas, respiratory acidosis can occur from exposure to high concentrations. Death from asphyxiation could occur if the concentration and duration were sufficient. Regardless of the chemical hazards of a cylinder's contents, the cylinder, or its cap could become a missile under the right conditions. NEVER attempt to close a venting cylinder. Instead, contact the Health and Safety office immediately.

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Projectile Cylinder  (top)