Distillation
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are intended to provide you with general guidance on how to safely work with a specific class of chemical or hazard. This SOP is generic in nature. It addresses the use and handling of substances by hazard class only. In some instances multiple SOPs may be applicable for a specific chemical (i.e. both the SOPs for flammable liquids and carcinogens would apply to benzene). If you have any questions concerning the applicability of any items listed in this procedure, contact EH&S 1-2356 or the Principal Investigator.
Distillation of organic compounds, especially large amounts of solvents, represents certain hazards associated
with higher risk of skin burns due to elevated temperatures, and higher risk of fire in case of distilling
flammable liquids (see flammable liquids sop). Another potential hazard is exposure to large volumes of
organic solvents.
Decontamination
Procedures:
Personnel: Wash hands and arms with soap and water
following any skin contact with solvents to be distilled.
Eyewash: Where the eyes or body of
any person may be exposed to organic solvents, suitable facilities for quick
drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work
area for immediate emergency use. Bottle
type eyewash stations are not acceptable.
Gloves: Gloves should be worn when
handling organic solvents. Disposable
latex or nitrile gloves provide adequate protection against accidental hand
contact with small quantities of most laboratory chemicals. Lab workers should contact EH&S 1-2356
for advice on chemical resistant glove selection when direct or prolonged
contact with hazardous chemicals is anticipated.
Hazard
Assessment: Hazard assessment for distillation work
should thoroughly address the issues of proper use and
handling, fire safety, chemical toxicity, storage and spill response.
Protective
Apparel: Lab coats, closed toed shoes
and long sleeved clothing should be worn when handling organic solvents. Additional protective clothing should be worn
if the possibility of skin contact is likely.
Shielding: Safety shielding is required
any time there is a risk of explosion, splash hazard or a highly exothermic
reaction.
Portable
shields, which provide protection to all laboratory occupants, are acceptable.
Shower: A safety or drench shower
should be immediately accessible at all times when distilling organic solvents
Labels: Containers: All distillation flasks
must be clearly labeled with the correct chemical name. Handwritten labels are acceptable; chemical
formulas and structural formulas are not acceptable.
Storage: The storage of flammable and
combustible liquids after distillation in a laboratory, shop or building area must be kept to the
minimum needed for research and/or operations.
If more than 5 gallons of flammables are present outside of safety cans
per 100 square feet of area, a flammable-liquids storage cabinet is
required.
Where feasible (if the
quality of the solvent will not be adversely affected) transfer flammable
liquids from glass bottles into metal safety cans.
Protection: Evacuated glassware can
implode and eject flying glass, and splattering chemicals. Vacuum work involving flammable liquids must
be conducted in a fume hood, glove box or isolated in an acceptable manner.
Mechanical vacuum pumps must be protected
using cold traps and, where appropriate, filtered to prevent particulate
release. The exhaust for the pumps must
be vented into an exhaust hood. Vacuum
pumps should be rated for use with flammable liquids.
Waste
Disposal: All waste shall be placed in
closed containers, properly labeled and moved to the Hazardous Waste
Accumulation Structure (south west corner of SGM). Notify Roger Clark of Waste to be picked up
from the Hazardous Waste Accumulation area.