[RASMB] Volatile buffers in AUC question

[Laue, Thomas]

Hi-
The small amount and relatively low flammability of IPA (I thought you might be running an India Pale Ale) insures that there is no danger. Flammability is something to consider, however.
 True story- we were working on the interference optics many years ago and had used some red glyptal to seal some holes in the heat sink. I was in a hurry to get it to dry, so turned on the pumps. Now glyptal has several very volatile and flammable solvents (mek, acetone, toluene), and, after a couple of minutes there was a pretty good sized explosion when a relay was thrown and the spark set off the gases. Thank god no one was hurt by my stupidity, there was no fire, and the only damage was a blown fuse.
Best wishes,
Tom

From: RASMB [mailto:rasmb-bounces at list.rasmb.org] On Behalf Of David Hayes
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 1:46 PM
To: jphilo at mailway.com; RASMB
Subject: Re: [RASMB] Volatile buffers in AUC question

Hi John,

I was told that the outlets of the vacuum pumps went right into the inside of the centrifuge:  so the leak from the cell would be expelled as a vapor into the chassis of the centrifuge.
Similarly, if a botox sample cell leaked, the toxin could go just about anywhere and they would have to throw away the centrifuge:  (a second hand apocryphal story from Allergan).

Kind Regards,

David



________________________________
From: John Philo <jphilo at mailway.com<mailto:jphilo at mailway.com>>
To: 'David Hayes' <drdavidbhayes at yahoo.com<mailto:drdavidbhayes at yahoo.com>>; 'RASMB' <rasmb at rasmb.org<mailto:rasmb at rasmb.org>>
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 1:21 PM
Subject: RE: [RASMB] Volatile buffers in AUC question

David, if it were leaking into vacuum (no oxygen), how could it burn? Am I missing something?

John


From: RASMB [mailto:rasmb-bounces at list.rasmb.org] On Behalf Of David Hayes
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 9:59 AM
To: RASMB <rasmb at rasmb.org<mailto:rasmb at rasmb.org>>
Subject: [RASMB] Volatile buffers in AUC question

Hi all,

I have a sample where we want to run in a buffer with 10% IPA.
In general, because of the possibility of ignition of flammable components if there was a cell leak, People at AUC workshops say not to run organic solvents in the Beckman XLA/XLI instruments.
Should I be worried about this buffer with 10% isopropyl alcohol?
Even if a cell leaked and 40 micro liters of IPA evaporated along with the aqueous components, how big of a flash would it be?  Could it damage the instrument?

I know that polymer chemists also run AUC and wonder if there is any actual experience with organic solvents and any verified incidents of cells leaking and causing fire damage.

Kind Regards,

David Hayes

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