The propylene oxide, also known as methyl ethylene oxide and 1,2-epoxypropane, with the chemical formula C3H6O, is a very important raw material for organic compounds and is the third-largest propylene derivative after polypropylene and acrylonitrile. Propylene oxide is a colorless etheric liquid, low boiling point, flammable, chiral, and the industrial product is generally a racemic mixture of two enantiomers. Partially miscible with water, miscible with ethanol and ether. Forms a binary azeotropic mixture with pentene, cyclopentane, cyclopentene, and dichloromethane. Toxic, irritating to mucous membranes and skin, can damage cornea and conjunctiva, cause respiratory pain, skin burns and swelling, and even tissue necrosis. Therefore, it should be used with caution.
1. Application of Propylene oxide
2. Storage and transportation of Propylene oxide
Application of Propylene oxide
Propylene oxide is mainly used to produce polyether polyol. Polyether polyols are derived from propylene oxide and are organic materials containing two or more hydroxyl groups, and some polyether varieties contain suspensions of micron-sized polymeric particles.
The largest use of polyether polyol is the production of polyurethane plastics; secondly, it is used as surfactants, such as foam stabilizers, defoamers for the paper industry, crude oil emulsion breakers, oil well acid treatment wetting agents, and efficient low-foaming detergents; it is also used as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, heat exchange fluids and quenching agents, latex blowing agents, a variety of cutting and drawing agent components and special solvents, etc. Propylene oxide can also be used to produce polyether polyol. Due to the different kinds of starting agents, the produced polyether can be divided into soft foam polyether, hard foam polyether, and elastomeric polyether. Soft foam polyether is mainly used as polyurethane soft foam for a mattress, sofa, furniture car cushion, etc.; hard foam polyether is mainly used as polyurethane hard foam for heat preservation, refrigerator, etc.; elastomer polyether is mainly used as polyurethane elastomer for sports track, paint, adhesive, sealant, etc.
Storage and transportation of Propylene oxide
The propylene oxide can be packed in dry, clean, and well-sealed galvanized iron drums with a net weight of 150kg per drum, or transported in special tanker trucks, which should meet the relevant safety regulations. The propylene oxide is transported in a special tank. Epoxy propane should be stored in a cool, ventilated, and dry place below 25 degree , not to be exposed to direct sunlight and isolated from fire sources.
Epoxy propane should be stored in a cool, ventilated warehouse. The storage temperature should not exceed 29 degree , away from fire and heat source. Keep the container sealed. It should be stored separately from oxidizers, acids, and alkalis, and should not be mixed. Use explosion-proof lighting and ventilation facilities, prohibit the use of spark-prone mechanical equipment and tools, and equip the storage area with emergency treatment equipment and suitable shelter materials.
Propylene oxide is a Class I hazardous material and transporting it as another insensitive chemical is illegal. Do not trust high-risk shipments. Shaanxi BLOOM TECH Co., Ltd can provide real names and complete customs clearance documents. We have professional packaging solutions for dangerous goods. Customers can buy with confidence.