3.5 Segregation of Chemicals

Incompatible chemicals should not be stored together. Storing chemicals alphabetically, without regard to compatibility, can increase the risk of a hazardous reaction, especially in the event of container breakage. In addition to the Chemical Compatibility Chart below, there are several resources available, both in print and on-line, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Chemical Reactivity Worksheet.

Use common sense when setting up chemical storage. Segregation that disrupts normal workflow can increase the potential for spills.

There are several possible storage plans for segregation. In general, dry reagents, liquids and compressed gases should be stored separately, then by hazard class, then alphabetically (if desired).

Segregate dry reagents as follows:

·         Oxidizing salts

·         Flammable solids

·         Water-reactive solids

·         All other solids

Segregate liquids as follows:

·         Acids

o    Separate mineral acids (hydrochloric, sulfuric) from organic acids (picric, acetic)

·         Bases

·         Oxidizers

·         Perchlorates

·         Flammable or combustible liquids

·         All other liquids

Segregate compressed gases as follows:

·         Toxic gases

·         Flammable gases

·         Oxidizing and inert gases

 

Chemical Incompatibility Chart

Mixing these chemicals purposely or as a result of a spill can result in heat, fire, explosion, and/or toxic gases. This is a partial list.

Acetic Acid

Chromic Acid, nitric acid, hydroxyl-containing compounds, ethylene glycol, perchloric acid, peroxides, and permanganates. 

Acetone

Bromine, chlorine, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrogen peroxide.

Acetylene

Bromine, chlorine, copper, mercury, fluorine, iodine, and silver.

Alkaline and Alkaline Earth Metals such as calcium, lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, powdered aluminum

Carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride and other chlorinated hydrocarbons, water, Bromine, chlorine, fluorine, and iodine. Do not use CO2, water or dry chemical extinguishers. Use Class D extinguisher (e.g., Met-L-X) or dry sand.

Aluminum and its Alloys (especially powders)

Acid or alkaline solutions, ammonium persulfate and water, chlorates, chlorinated compounds, nitrates, and organic compounds in nitrate/nitrate salt baths. 

Ammonia (anhydrous)

Bromine, chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, hydrofluoric acid, iodine, mercury, and silver.

Ammonium Nitrate

Acids, metal powders, flammable liquids, chlorates, nitrates, sulfur and finely divided organics or other combustibles. 

Aniline

Hydrogen peroxide or nitric acid.

Bromine 

Acetone, acetylene, ammonia, benzene, butadiene, butane and other petroleum gases, hydrogen, finely divided metals, sodium carbide, turpentine. 

Calcium Oxide

Water

Carbon (activated) 

Calcium hypochlorite, all oxidizing agents.

Caustic (soda)

Acids (organic and inorganic).

Chlorates or Perchlorates

Acids, aluminum, ammonium salts, cyanides, phosphorous, metal powders, oxidizable organics or other combustibles, sugar, sulfides, and sulfur.

Chlorine 

Acetone, acetylene, ammonia, benzene, butadiene, butane and other petroleum gases, hydrogen, finely divided metals, sodium carbide, turpentine.

Chlorine Dioxide

Ammonia, methane, phosphine, hydrogen sulfide. 

Chromic Acid

Acetic acid, naphthalene, camphor, alcohol, glycerine, turpentine and other flammable liquids.

Copper

Acetylene, hydrogen peroxide. 

Cumene Hydroperoxide

Acids 

Cyanides

Acids

Flammable Liquids

Ammonium nitrate, chromic acid, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, sodium peroxide, bromine, chlorine, fluorine, iodine.

Fluorine 

Isolate from everything.

Hydrazine

Hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, and other oxiding agents.

Hydrocarbons

Bromine, chlorine, chromic acid, fluorine, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium peroxide.

Hydrocyanic Acid

Nitric acid, alkali.

Hydrofluoric Acid

Ammonia, aqueous or anhydrous.

Hydrogen Peroxide (anhydrous)

Chromium, copper, iron, most metals or their salts, aniline, any flammable liquids, combustible materials, nitromethane, and all other organic material.

Hydrogen Sulfide 

Fuming nitric acid, oxidizing gases.

Iodine

Acetylene, ammonia (aqueous or anhydrous), hydrogen.

Mercury 

Acetylene, alkali metals, ammonia, fulminic acid, nitric acid with ethanol, hydrogen, oxalic acid. 

Nitrates 

Combustible materials, esters, phosphorous, sodium acetate, stannous chloride, water, zinc powder. 

Nitric acid (concentrated)

Acetic acid, acetone, alcohol, aniline, chromic acid, flammable gases and liquids, hydrocyanic acid, hydrogen sulfide and nitratable substances. 

Nitrites

Potassium or sodium cyanide.

Nitroparaffins 

Inorganic bases, amines. 

Oxalic acid 

Silver, mercury, and their salts.

Oxygen (liquid or enriched air)

Flammable gases, liquids, or solids such as acetone, acetylene, grease, hydrogen, oils, phosphorous. 

Perchloric Acid 

Acetic anhydride, alcohols, bismuth and its alloys, paper, wood, grease, oils or any organic materials and reducing agents. 

Peroxides (organic)

Acid (inorganic or organic). Also avoid friction and store cold.

Phosphorus (white)

Air, oxygen.

Phosphorus pentoxide

Alcohols, strong bases, water.

Potassium

Air (moisture and/or oxygen) or water, carbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide.

Potassium Chlorate

Sulfuric and other acids. 

Potassium Perchlorate

Acids.

Potassium Permanganate

Benzaldehyde, ethylene glycol, glycerol, sulfuric acid. 

Silver and silver salts

Acetylene, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, fulminic acid, ammonium compounds. 

Sodium

See Alkali Metals

Sodium Chlorate

Acids, ammonium salts, oxidizable materials and sulfur. 

Sodium Nitrite 

Ammonia compounds, ammonium nitrate, or other ammonium salts. 

Sodium Peroxide 

Any oxidizable substances, such as ethanol, methanol, glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride, benzaldehyde, carbon disulfide, glycerol, ethylene glycol, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, furfural, etc. 

Sulfides

Acids.

Sulfur 

Any oxidizing materials. 

Sulfuric Acid 

Chlorates, perchlorates, permanganates, compounds with light metals such as sodium, lithium, and potassium. 

Water 

Acetyl chloride, alkaline and alkaline earth metals, their hydrides and oxides, barium peroxide, carbides, chromic acid, phosphorous oxychloride, phosphorous pentachloride, phosphorous pentoxide, sulfuric acid, sulfur trioxide.