Storage and Handling of Quaternary Amines

Transcription

1 Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry LLC Technical Information Surface Chemistry Storage and Handling of Quaternary Amines 1

2 THIS BULLETIN IS NOT INTENDED TO ADVISE YOU OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF AKZO NOBEL SURFACTANT S QUATERNARY AMINE PRODUCTS. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS FOR EACH OF THE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN INFORMATION ON PRODUCT HAZARDS AND OTHER IMPORTANT SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PRODUCT ARE AVAILABLE FROM AKZO NOBEL SURFACTANTS. PLEASE OBTAIN, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RELEVANT MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET BEFORE RECEIVING OR HANDLING ANY PRODUCT AND MAINTAIN A COPY OF THE MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET IN AN APPROPRAITE LOCATATION FOR SPEEDY REFERENCE AT ALL TIMES. Quaternary ammonium compounds are cationic electrolytes which are readily prepared by reacting an alkyl amine with a methylating agent such as methyl chloride. From a variety of high molecular-weight amines, Akzo Nobel Surfactants prepares a number of quaternary ammonium salts commercially available under the trademarks Arquad, Duoquad and Ethoquad. Storage conditions and handling precautions will differ among the variety of quaternary ammonium salts available, but certain general information about these matters will be useful. Product and Material Safety Data Sheets are available upon request. These sheets should be consulted concerning properties and product-specific precautions for handling. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has established classifications for chemicals based on their relative combustibility. To determine potential hazard and classify our quaternary compounds, Akzo Nobel Surfactants uses the Pensky-Martens flash point method. Many of Akzo Nobel Surfactants quaternaries are prepared and shipped in an isopropanol-water, or ethanolwater solvent systems. Some have flash points below 100 F (37.8 C) and are classed as flammable liquids. Others those with flash points of F inclusive ( C) are classified as combustible liquids. However, a few are prepared with water, or propylene glycol as the only solvent. These have a flash point greater than 200 F (93 C) and are classified as nonflammable. Product DOT classifications as well as other specific hazards for Akzo Nobel Surfactants quaternary compounds are detailed in the applicable product information sheets available on the following website Labels on shipping containers will also show hazards. 2

3 Packaging/Transport Containers As standard packaging, all Arquad, Duoquad and Ethoquad quaternary ammonium salts are shipped in 55-gallon, non-returnable, phenolic-modified epoxy lined drums. At extra cost and when compatible, a steel drum with polyethylene insert is available. Bulk shipments are made in stainless steel tank trucks, stainless steel intermodal (iso) tanks or straight high-bake phenolic lined tank cars. Customers are cautioned that the purpose of transport containers is to safely deliver the product to the customer not to store it indefinitely. Akzo Nobel Surfactants does not recommend storage beyond six (6) months in Arquad, Duoquad or Ethoquad packaging or transport containers. Container Storage - Drums should be stored at room temperature, away from heat sources, for a period of time not to exceed 6 months from day of delivery. Combustible and flammable products should be kept away from heat, sparks and open flame. Drums should remain closed during storage to limit evaporation of solvent and product contamination. If outside storage is necessary, place drums in a dry location shielded from direct sun and other elements. Electrical equipment used in the vicinity of flammable and combustible products should be non-sparking. In order to ensure consistent product quality, products that are set aside for long term use (six months maximum) should be monitored. ph adjustments may be made by the addition of small amounts of dilute (5 10%) sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric solutions. The product should be mixed thoroughly after any addition. Partial or complete solidification of concentrated quaternary solutions may occur when storage temperatures become low. Many solidified products can be liquefied by gentle warming to F (21-32 C). Some products, specifically Arquad 2HT-75, may require heating to about 140 F (60 C). Drums must be vented during heating. To prevent stratification and to ensure uniformity of solution, the contents should be liquefied and thoroughly mixed before each removal of material, especially if only a portion of a drum will be used. Bulk Storage and Handling Many quaternary ammonium salts are corrosive to metals and/or suffer discoloration upon lengthy exposure to metals. Consequently, materials of construction for storage tanks and handling equipment should be selected carefully. The 300-series stainless steels have limited resistance to this family of products and often suffer localized corrosion in the form of pitting and chloride stress corrosion cracking. Materials such as CF-8M and CF-3M (Cast equivalents of SS316 and SS316L, respectively) have 3

4 been used successfully for more robust parts such as pumps and valves, but the wrought forms of these alloys are quite vulnerable to corrosion. More highly alloyed Iron-based materials such as those containing at least 6% Molybdenum have been used successfully for long-term storage of the quaternary ammonium salt products. Other alloys such as Ni-Cr-Mo materials Alloy C-276 and the like are also suitable but generally at increased cost. Alloy 400 has good resistance to these products but tends to promote undesirable levels of discoloration in applications with long residence times. Duplex alloys such as 2205 and 2507 might also be considered but should be thoroughly tested before a decision is made to use them. Except for those Arquad products that are supplied in a semisolid paste form, Akzo Nobel Surfactants quaternary compounds are liquid at room temperature. To maintain the liquid state, these products should be stored near room temperature and in any event at least a few degrees above the product solidification or freezing point. Therefore storage tanks should be equipped with internal heating coils. Tempered water, ethylene glycol or low pressure steam (10-15 psig or bar-g) may be used as the heating medium. A temperature-control device should be used to ensure that the contents never exceed the melting point by more than 10F (6 C ). Changes in bulk concentration or activity can be minimized by connecting a water-cooled reflux condenser to the tank vents. Storage tanks should be equipped with an agitator so that the tank contents can be maintained uniform in composition, particularly if new stock is added to existing stocks. Agitation during storage is not recommended; it should be used only prior to and during transfers into or out of tanks. A nitrogen (inert) gas blanket over the surface of the solution will help minimize any color change during long-term storage and suppress corrosion in vapor space. The suitability of solid thermoplastic, reinforced thermoset polymeric and dual laminate construction materials for storage tanks depends on many factors including the specific quaternary ammonium salt product compatibility, as well as flammability, heat transfer, agitation and safety concerns. Akzo Nobel Surfactants does not encourage the use of these materials. 4

5 When chemically compatible, reinforced thermoset resin linings inside carbon steel storage tanks have been used successfully because the polymer provides only chemical resistance and does not bear any structural loading. Gaskets and Seals Various fluoropolymers and elastomeric materials are suitable for use with Arquad products. Specific selections should be confirmed with gasket/seal manufacturers and by physical, mechanical and chemical testing. Many of the fully fluorinated PTFE-type materials have potential use in gasket and seal applications. In elastomers, EPDM and FFKM materials are generally suitable. The FKM materials have vulnerability to certain amines and should be used with caution and only after confirmation and testing. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS Akzo Nobel Surfactants provides customer service, product stewardship and technical support for their Arquad, Duoquad and Ethoquad products. Additionally, Materials Technology and Engineering resources are available. 5

6 Storage and Handling of Quaternary Amines Customer Service For additional information, samples or assistance please contact your local sales representative or the Akzo Nobel Customer Service Department at: Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry LLC 525 W. Van Buren Street Chicago IL (800) (312) All information concerning these products and/or all suggestions for handling and use contained herein are offered in good faith and believed to be reliable. Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry LLC and its affiliates, however, make no warranty as to the accuracy and/or sufficiency of such information and/or suggestions, as to the products merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, or that any suggested use will not infringe any patent. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as granting or extending any license under any patent. Buyer must determine for himself, by preliminary tests or otherwise, the suitability of these products for his purposes. The information contained herein supersedes all previously issued bulletins on the subject matter covered. The user may forward, distribute and/or photocopy this document only if unaltered and complete, including all of its headers and footers, and should refrain from any unauthorized use. You may not copy this document to a website Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry LLC Publication: SC