Organometallics

In this section, we discuss the safety aspects of the chemical and physical properties of organometallics.

>> Chemical and Physical Properties

With accidents involving metal alkyls the danger of burns and clothes catching fire is particularly great, owing to the self-igniting properties of these products. For this reason all plant personnel handling metal alkyls must wear protective, fire-proof clothing.

Apart from providing good protection against fire, the protective clothing must allow sufficient freedom of movement for manual operations, and also be light and easy to shed in case of spillage on the clothing. For detailed information, including images, on personal safety, please click on the following link

>> Personal Safety Description

Preventative fire precautions are particularly important in dealing with metal alkyls and their preparations. Plants in which metal alkyls are used should therefore be designed and controlled in such a way as to help prevent further spillage of alkyls or spreading of fire in the case of an accident (automatic partitioning or closing of valves from a safe position).

Metal alkyl stores and blending stations should be built at a safe distance from production plant. The width of protective strips of ground, which are specified according to the German "Verordnung brennbare Flüssigkeiten" for combustible liquids with the lowest flash point, are the minimum requirements for safety distances.

For detailed information, including images, on fire precautions and fire fighting, please click on the following link.

>> Fire Precautions and Fire Fighting

To meet the various requirements of transporting metal alkyls a special transport container system has been developed. These containers are used in sizes from 1,6 litres to 22,390 litres filling volume by always representing 90% of their total capacity. Altogether 10 different types are available.

They are: 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.1, 6, 6.1, 7, 8 and 9.

To get a complete overview how to transport the metal alkyls, please click on the link listed below.

>> Transport Containers

Special flat top rail cars are required for transporting Container 7. A maximum of three filled or four empty containers can be transported on one rail car. The container removed from the car with a crane and lifting tackle. Alternatively the container can also be emptied directly from the car if the transfer station is suitably designed.

For more detailed information on other transport systems, please click on the link below.

>> Transport Systems

For comprehensive technical data for LANXESS's Organometallics transport containers, please click on the link below.

>> Technical Data for Transport Containers

The regulations for transports of dangerous goods, both nationally and internationally, depend on the respective conveyance. Pyrophoric metal alkyls are specified under class 4.2: Spontaneously Combustible Materials. Non-pyrophoric metal alkyls and diluted solutions of metal alkyls such as AXION® CA 1310 or AXION® CA 1330 are, however, materials of class 4.3 "substances which, by interaction with water, are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities." The transport of our metal alkyls is always carried out in steel containers. These are special, pressure resistant, steel containers that have been constructed, tested and approved according to the existing transport regulations.

For detailed information on transport regulations, please click on the following link.

>> Transport Regulations

A dip tube is available for Container 2 which can be screwed into the neck to permit safe transfer of product. Small quantities of metal alkyl can be withdrawn with the help of a syringe or suction pipette.

To get a complete overview about other container types in the system please click on the link below.

>> Transfer & Storage Information

For complete guidelines and instructions on transferring metal alkyls from the container, please click on the link below.

>> Directions for the Transfer of Metal Alkyls from the Container

Metal alkyls can also be supplied as solution in any concentration required by the customer. The transport containers for the solutions are the same as those used for neat metal alkyls. In handling the solutions, the same safety precautions should be applied as for the handing of undiluted metal alkyls. In addition, special precautions may be necessary for the solvent.

Solvents

Saturated hydrocarbons like hexane and heptane, aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene or inert hydrocarbon mixtures like white oils are suitable as solvents.

For more detailed information on solvents and solutions, please click on the following link.

>> Metal Alkyl Solutions

Any disposal of aluminum alkyls should always be in line with all local respective regulations. The following document provides technical information only. For any regulatory questions please contact your own responsible EH&S manager.

>> Waste Disposal

Aluminum alkyl samples can be taken safely if safety guidelines are strictly followed. For good analytical results sample taking is a very critical step in the whole analytical process.

>> Alkylsampling

Analytical investigations are applied for product quality control, statistical process control, quality check of raw materials, for characterization of new products developed in our Technology Centre and as technical service for customers. Equipped with state of the art instruments we at LANXESS Organometallics are able to run analytical methods developed and continuously improved by our well trained analytical staff. We provide modern analytical service by operating quality control laboratories in the production plants and in the Technology Department. Different analytical methods in combination with our analytical instruments allow us to identify and specify all our products. A modern LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) allows us to handle analytical orders and safely store and archive results.

For detailed information on analytics, please click on the following link.

>> Analytic Information