Danger arises from escape of acid gases or in entering chambers, towers,
containers, &c., for cleaning purposes. The whole chamber system,
therefore, requires to be impervious and the sulphur dioxide and nitrous
gases utilised to their fullest extent—a procedure that is in harmony
with economy in production. The pyrites furnace must be so fired as to
prevent escape of fumes, which is best attained by maintenance of a
slight negative pressure by means of fans. The cinders raked out of the
furnace because of the considerable amount of sulphur dioxide given off
from them should be kept in a covered-in place until they have cooled.
Any work on the towers and lead chambers, especially cleaning operations,
should be carried out under strict regulations. Such special measures
for the emptying of Gay-Lussac towers have been drawn up by the Union
of Chemical Industry. Before removal of the sediment on the floor they
require a thorough drenching with water, to be repeated if gases are
present. Perfect working of the Gay-Lussac tower at the end of the
series of chambers is essential to prevent escape of acid gases. In a
well-regulated sulphuric acid factory the average total acid content of
the final gases can be reduced to 0·1 vol. per cent. Under the Alkali
Works Regulation Act of 1881 the quantity was limited to 0·26 per cent.
of sulphur dioxide—and this should be a maximum limit.
_Entering and cleaning out chambers and towers_ should only be done, if
practicable, by workmen equipped with breathing apparatus, and never
without special precautionary measures, as several fatalities have
occurred at the work. Towers, therefore, are best arranged so as to allow
of cleaning from the outside; if gases are noticed smoke helmets should
be donned. The same holds good for entering tanks or tank waggons. After
several cases of poisoning from this source had occurred in a factory the
following official regulations were issued:
The deposit on the floor of waggons or tanks shall be removed
either by flushing with water without entering the tank itself,
or if the tank be entered the deposit is to be scooped out
without addition of water or dilute soda solution.
Flushing out shall only be done after the workmen have got out.
Workmen are to be warned every time cleaning is undertaken that
poisonous gases are developed when the deposit on the floor is
diluted.
Acid eggs, further, are to be provided with a waste pipe and
manhole to enable cleaning to be done from outside.
The poisoning likely to arise is partly due to arsenic impurity
(development of arseniuretted hydrogen gas) in the sulphuric acid used.
Unfortunately arsenic free acid is very difficult to obtain.
Hydrochloric Acid—Saltcake and Soda Industries
(See also pp. 15-23 and 170)
Preventive measures here depend upon observance of the general principles
already discussed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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