Safe Packaging for Hydrazine Hydrate
27 April 2007
Lansdowne Chemicals, a medium-sized chemical company, is the UK market leader in hydrazine hydrate.
Hydrazine hydrate is a colourless liquid that is used in chemical manufacturing; for example for agrochemicals, pharmaceutical syntheses and as boiler feed water treatment. It is classified as toxic, corrosive and dangerous to the environment. In the Seveso II directive 96/82/EC, hydrazine hydrate was brought underneath the scope of thresholds relating to carcinogens. Exposure to hydrazine hydrate by inhalation may cause carcinogenic affects. The chemical is toxic via ingestion or absorption.
HYDRAZINE HYDRATE DILUTION AND NITRATION
Lansdowne specialises in hydrazine hydrate dilution and nitration. We supply the product mainly to power stations, where it is used to treat boiler feed water, acting as an oxygen scavenger to minimise corrosion. The company has invested heavily in safety equipment, chemical handling and storage systems in order to be compliant with COMAH regulations, which refer to the quantities and concentrations of hazardous chemicals that can be stored at a specific site.
Lansdowne Chemicals is keen to demonstrate its long-term commitment to supplying hydrazine by installing a new modern dilution facility. To support such a project the company has also had to invest in safety equipment and new chemical storage.
25L WARLORD-CF HYDRAZINE SUPPLY DRUM
Francis Ward's new 25L Warlord-CF drum was approved to supply small batch quantities of hydrazine. The Warlord-CF is a reusable, UN-accredited drum designed for the storage and transportation of hazardous chemicals. The drum was designed to improve operator safety, storage efficiency and environmental integrity.
Stuart Alexander, product manager of aroma and performance chemicals at Lansdowne, stated: "The Warlords were a fantastic find for Lansdowne. Due to our emphasis on product development, we changed to the Warlords over standard 25kg polycans due to their superiority in terms of safety and handling. Along with the micromatic drum valve, it has reduced levels of exposure to hydrazine hydrate. We estimate that such products will allow us to achieve a return on the investment in two to three years."
MICROMATIC DRY-BREAK DRUM VALVE
The drum has a central inlet that is fitted with a micromatic drum valve from IPI Global. The valve is what is known as a 'dry-break' valve, which has to be connected to a dry-break coupler to access the hydrazine. The dry-break coupler is then attached to a pump mechanism to discharge the contents. The benefit is a completely-closed transfer system where operators do not come into contact with hydrazine fumes or hydrazine spills.
This system also prevents against contamination of the drum with no external substances able to enter through the valve.
The Warlord-CF drum is rotationally moulded. This creates a seamless drum with virtually no built-in stress. The benefit is a very durable drum that will withstand the rigors of industrial use, so alleviating health and safety concerns. The container will have a lifetime of five years, whereas blow-moulded containers achieve on average three trips before needing to be replaced.
