GreenDao
Harmless
Posts: 9
Registered: 15-8-2013
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Dangers of distilling acetic acid without the use of a fumehood?
What are the dangers of fractionally distilling (standard liebig-vigreux apparatus) acetic acid without a fumehood? What precautions should be taken
without the usage of a fumehood?
|
|
|
woelen
Super Administrator
Posts: 8027
Registered: 20-8-2005
Location: Netherlands
Member Is Offline
Mood: interested
|
|
Acetic acid vapor is quite pungent. It is not really toxic, but if the concentration is too high it may be dangerous, due to its pungent nature.
If you have no fume hood, then assure there is good ventilation. As long as the smell becomes not too strong you are safe, but if you feel it is
becoming pungent then it is time to leave the room.
|
|
|
Oscilllator
National Hazard
Posts: 659
Registered: 8-10-2012
Location: The aqueous layer
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
I love the smell of acetic acid! Since it isn't particulary toxic, the presence of acetic acid vapor shouldn't present a problem. You could do the
distillation outside of you were worried, though. Personally I would distill it inside just to get the lovely vapors.
|
|
|
GreenDao
Harmless
Posts: 9
Registered: 15-8-2013
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by woelen  | Acetic acid vapor is quite pungent. It is not really toxic, but if the concentration is too high it may be dangerous, due to its pungent nature.
If you have no fume hood, then assure there is good ventilation. As long as the smell becomes not too strong you are safe, but if you feel it is
becoming pungent then it is time to leave the room. |
| Quote: Originally posted by Oscilllator | | I love the smell of acetic acid! Since it isn't particulary toxic, the presence of acetic acid vapor shouldn't present a problem. You could do the
distillation outside of you were worried, though. Personally I would distill it inside just to get the lovely vapors. |
Thank you for the assurance, both of you! I will be doing it near an opening with a fan, a full face acid-gas mask, chemical resistant coveralls,
butyl rubber gauntlets, etc.
|
|
|
Finnnicus
Hazard to Others
Posts: 342
Registered: 22-3-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
I would say that was a little overkill, but better safe than sorry! -
Personally, I think you might want a gas mask, if you find the odors too obnoxious, but really its unneeded.
Fan is always good.
Should always wear overalls/coat, unless you hate your clothes. 
Nitrile gloves are probably fine.
Good luck.
[Edited on 13-9-2013 by Finnnicus]
|
|
|
woelen
Super Administrator
Posts: 8027
Registered: 20-8-2005
Location: Netherlands
Member Is Offline
Mood: interested
|
|
Wearing a full face acid gas mask for distilling acetic acid? That sounds like real overkill. What would your neighbours think if they see you with
that gas mask? They would at least think that you are making some nerve gas or so 
Just assure that your body is protected against splashes of hot liquid and if the acid is concentrated, then if you get some on your skin immediately
rinse with cold water. Eye protection is a good thing to have, I consider that the most important in your case.
|
|
|
GreenDao
Harmless
Posts: 9
Registered: 15-8-2013
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by Finnnicus | I would say that was a little overkill, but better safe than sorry! -
Personally, I think you might want a gas mask, if you find the odors too obnoxious, but really its unneeded.
Fan is always good.
Should always wear overalls/coat, unless you hate your clothes.
Nitrile gloves are probably fine.
Good luck.
[Edited on 13-9-2013 by Finnnicus] |
| Quote: Originally posted by woelen | Wearing a full face acid gas mask for distilling acetic acid? That sounds like real overkill. What would your neighbours think if they see you with
that gas mask? They would at least think that you are making some nerve gas or so
Just assure that your body is protected against splashes of hot liquid and if the acid is concentrated, then if you get some on your skin immediately
rinse with cold water. Eye protection is a good thing to have, I consider that the most important in your case. |
I would agree that it would be overkill to go and order all this stuff just for it, ahahah . I have a surplus of the equipment and thought it would be good to be as protected as possible (I don't really think you can particularly
ever be too protected when dealing with chemicals, especially if the equipment is already there, nothing to lose).
|
|
|
Variscite
Hazard to Self
Posts: 69
Registered: 21-5-2013
Member Is Offline
Mood: diffusing
|
|
Sometimes being over protected can causes the person to get careless. Also, wearing all this equipment may impair your dexterity/precision.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xpblue/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
