2. Uses of Chlorine
Used to make safe drinking water all over the world.
Used in the production of paper products, dye stuffs,
textiles ,medicines ,foodstuffs, solvents, paints, and plastics.
Used in pools to kill germs and keep it clean.
Used for the extraction of bromine.
It is used in the manufacture of chlorates, chloroform, carbon
tetrachloride.
3. Properties of Chlorine
Chlorine is of Pale Green (Yellowish Green) color.
The melting point of chlorine is -100.98 °C, Note: World’s
naturally recorded lowest temperature is In Antarctica
Elemental Chlorine is very poisonous if not used right.
Pungent and irritating odor, very similar to bleach.
The boiling point of Chlorine is-34.6 °C
Most commonly found in useful Chloride form. NaCl.
Also used as weapon in war. (WorldWar-1 in 1915)
4. FactsAbout Chlorine
2.5 times heavier than air. 2nd most common Halogen.
Discovered by a Sweden Pharmacist Carl William Sheele in the
year 1774 accidently by the reaction of MnO2 & HCL, named
it Muriaticum. He thought it as Oxygen.
It is non-radioactive.
A Chemist, Sir Humphry Davy in 1811 found that there was no
Oxygen in Chlorine Gas. And added it to Periodic Table as an
Element. He named it as Khloros means Yellow Green.
Chlorine itself is not flammable, but it can react explosively or form
explosive compounds with other chemicals (Turpentine and NH3).
5. Chlorine Use In FFC
Chlorine is used in FFC to kill bacteria & fungus from cooling & drinking
water. It is also as used as part of the sanitation process for industrial waste and
sewage.
6. It depends on how close we are to Chlorine release.
There are three routes for Chlorine exposure, Skin, Eyes, Inhalation.
If chlorine liquid is released into water, people may be exposed by touching or drinking
water that contains chlorine.
Lack of training in Chlorine Operations,Transportation, Not using proper PPEs.
Chlorine gas is heavier than air, so it would settle in low-lying areas.
How People Can ExposeTo Chlorine?
7. The extent of poisoning caused by chlorine depends on the amount of chlorine a person
is exposed to,Type of exposure and the length of time of the exposure.
When chlorine gas comes into contact with moist tissues such as the eyes, throat, and
lungs, an acid is produced that can damage these tissues.
How ChlorineWorks?
8. Burning pain, redness, and blisters on the skin if exposed to gas. Skin injuries similar
to frostbite can occur if it is exposed to liquid chlorine
Blurred vision, Burning sensation in the nose, throat, and eyes Coughing, Chest
tightness,
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.These may appear immediately if high
concentrations of chlorine gas are inhaled
Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) that may be delayed for a few hours Nausea
and vomiting Watery eyes Wheezing
Symptoms Of Chlorine Exposure
Long term exposure can damage the teeth, cause a skin rash, swelling & blisters &
hoarseness and loss of voice.
9. (TLV): (ACGIH)Threshold LimitValue is defined as level of exposure that the typical
worker can experience without an unreasonable risk of disease or injury.
(TWA): (OSHA) Time Weighted Average (TWA) is a TLV(R) based on a 8-hour
workday and a 40-hour workweek. For example the TWA for Chlorine is 0.5 ppm. This
means that an average of 0.5 ppm is considered to be the safe TLV(R) for an 8-hour
workday. ForAmmonia 25 ppm.
ShortTerm Exposure Limit (STEL) is aTLV(R) based on a 15 minute average. It is 1
ppm for Chlorine & 35 ppm forAmmonia.
Ceiling Limit or MAC value is a TLV or airborne (transported by air) concentration
of a toxic substance that should not be exceeded during any part of the work experience.
For Chlorine it is 1 ppm & for Ammonia 50 ppm.
Some ImportantTerms
IDLH: (NIOSH) Immediately dangerous to life & health or would cause irreversible or
delayed adverse health effects. For Chlorine 10 ppm &Ammonia 300 ppm.
11. Chlorine Handling & Storage
Liquid chlorine is supplied in 65 Kg and 900 Kg cylinders.
Make sure that the wall caps and dome caps are properly placed on both the valves.
Small chlorine container (65 kg) must be loaded in the upright position and 900 kg
must be loaded in the roll in position on flat bed carrier.
Suitable restraints are necessary to prevent cylinders from dropping and banging with
each other.
GasValve
LiquidValve
NeedleValve
12. Lifting of cylinders must not be done with ropes, sling wires, chain & magnetic devices.
Chlorine cylinders must not be used as rollers to move other objects.
The cylinders must be lifted by hoist equipped with specially designed cradle or Carrier.
Cranes or fork lifter can also be used for cylinder handling.
Chlorine Handling & Storage
Valve Cover
13. Chlorine Handling & Storage
Do not roll or transport chlorine cylinders without valve protection caps.
To withdraw liquid chlorine or chlorine gas the cylinder should be positioned in a way
that the two valves must lie in a vertical plane.
Never force the connections that do not fit. Do not use hammer for this purpose.
For gas withdrawal use upper valve to the cylinder. If liquid chlorine is required then use
lower valve.
Gas
Valve
Connected
Not
In
Use
Covered
14. Chlorine Handling & Storage
Always close the cylinder valve when it is empty to prevent liquid from being sucked
back into the cylinder. Always leave a small quantity (20 —50 kg) of liquid chlorine in
the cylinder.To avoid collapse.
In case of a cylinder leakage try to turn it in a position so that gas instead of liquid
escapes. The quantity of chlorine that escapes from a gas leak is about 1/15 the amount
escapes from a liquid leak through the same size of leakage point.
Water may be used to cool non — leaking cylinders in a fire area if the cylinders cannot
be moved to some other place
Never spray water or any other liquid during the chlorine leak as it will enhance the
leakage & will form the acid.
15. Chlorine Handling & Storage
Never immerse leaking chlorine cylinders in alkali, water or other liquids, Dump it in
hydrated lime. 2Ca(OH)2+2Cl2 Ca(ClO)2 + CaCl2 + H2O
Every vehicle driver must be aware of safety precautions and must be equipped with gas
mask and other safety equipment.
If chlorine leakage develops in transit, in the populated area, keep the vehicle moving
until an open area is reached in order to disperse the gas and to minimize the hazard
of chlorine .Warn the people of the danger.
Gauge should be installed at each cylinder in service to show the status of cylinder i.e.
empty, half or full.
16. Chlorine Handling & Storage
1st Aider training should be imparted to a team for handling initial emergency situations
at plants so that affected person is safely shifted to hospital, if required.
Instruction in local language should be displayed near Chlorine handling area.
Presence of SCBA (Self contained breathing apparatus) and safety kit should be made
mandatory in area where Chlorine cylinders are being used.
Prior to working with Chlorine you should be trained on its proper handling and storage
17. Chlorine Handling & Storage
Chlorine handling procedures should be made available to the operating staff in local
language.
Availability of MSDS of Chlorine should be mandatory at Chlorine manufacturing site
and at customer’s end.
Always approach to meet the emergency from wind ward side.
Filled and empty chlorine cylinders must be tagged stored separately.
Chlorine handling personals should be equipped with necessary safety equipment.
18. Chlorine Handling & Storage
Cylinders must not be exposed to direct radiation from any source of heat, sun, steam or
electric radiation. Keep them in cool place.
Storage location for chlorine cylinder and tanks must be sheltered, dry, well ventilated
and away from heat.
Chlorine is a STRONG OXIDIZER which can ignite ORGANICS and
COMBUSTIBLES (wood, paper and oil).
Chlorine cylinders must never be stored with explosives or flammable material.
Health Hazard
0 = Not Harmful
4= Can be Fatal
Flammability Hazard
0 =Will not Burn
At ambient
Stability Hazard
0 = Stable
4= explode at STP
Special Hazard
OXY= Strong Oxidizer
19. Gloves: Butyl, Neoprene,Viton®
Coverall: DuPontTychem® CPF3, CPF4, Responder®,TK®,
Reflector®, Kappler Zytron® 300 and Zytron ® 500
Boot: Neoprene
Respirator: >0.5 ppm CCR with cartridge for Chlorine orAcid Gas
Protective Equipment
Respirator: >5 ppm Supplied-air respirator
>10 ppm SCBA
Goggles: Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working
with fumes, gases, or vapors.
Goggles: Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with
corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
21. First Aid
Eye Contact
Immediately flush with large amounts of cool water. Continue for at least 30
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact lenses, if worn,
while rinsing. Immediate medical attention is necessary.
Skin Contact
Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with
large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention Immediately.
Breathing
Remove the person from exposure.
Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if breathing has stopped
and CPR if heart action has stopped.
Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing
overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed.
22. Chlorine Gas Disaster In Lahore: In January, 1996, the Chlorine Gas Disaster occurs
when a truck carrying drums of Chlorine gas slid into a ditch in a densely populated
slum area in Lahore. In this disaster 32 people died & 950 injured. Army personnel
evacuated one thousand people from the affected area.
Transport Disaster