Working with Hot and Cold Sources

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1. Bunsen Burner

Safe handling procedure
1. The Bunsen burner should always be placed no less than 12 inches away from any overhead shelving, equipment, or light fixtures.
2. Any combustible substances, such as papers or chemicals, should not be kept in the area adjacent to the burner.
3. The user should know the location of the fire extinguisher.
4. Proper clothing is necessary. The user should wear a lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves. Any long hair or jewellery should be tied back. It is recommended to remove all jewellery worn while working with open flames.
5. Before lighting the burner, the hose connected to the gas source should be checked for any leaks or holes.
6. Anyone working in the nearby area should be notified that the burner will be in use. Appropriate signage should be used that alerts users to the burner operation.
7. A lighter with an extended nozzle should be used to light the burner.
8. An open flame should never be left unattended. The gas should be shut off immediately after use.
9. The burner should be allowed to cool down before handling or cleaning, if necessary, after use.
10. In case of fire or emergency, a call to 911 should be placed immediately.

2. Hot Plates

Features of hot plates
1. Most hot plates have a built-in magnetic stirrer, which is used for running experiments that need to be continuously stirred while being heated.
2. The surfaces of most hot plates are made from aluminum or ceramic. A hot plate should be selected based on temperature requirements and compatibility of the surface with the materials being heated.
3. Most hot plates either have a digital read-out or a thermocouple input for maintaining the desired temperature.

Safe handling procedure
1. The user should be well acquainted with the use of the hot plate. He/she should be aware of the functions of the different parts of the hot plate-on-off switches, temperature controller, stirrer controller, and thermocouple, if used. If stirring is required, a proper temperature bath (e.g., silicone oil) and stir bar will be required. Be sure to verify that the chosen bath fluid is compatible with the temperatures at which the experiment will be conducted.
2. Proper laboratory attire is mandatory. The user should wear a lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves. Heat-protection gloves should be worn when handling hot samples.
3. The user should know the location of the fire extinguisher. Liquid nitrogen or water should never be used to extinguish fire from oil bath being heated on a hot plate. Water is immiscible in oil and will therefore be ineffective for extinguishing any flames derived from burning oil. If liquid nitrogen is poured on hot oil, the nitrogen will quickly evaporate, causing the oil to splatter.
4. The glassware used for heating should be heat resistant, such as borosilicate, and inspected for any damage or cracks before use.
5. The user should be well aware of the physical and chemical properties of the chemicals being heated. If necessary, condensers or operation within a vented fume hood should be employed.
6. Any object being heated must be smaller in size than the hot plate.
7. Any flammable or combustible chemicals or materials should be kept away from hot plates.
8. It is recommended to use hot plates inside a fume hood, especially when heating volatile or potentially toxic materials.
9. Hot plates should not be used for heating solvents or materials which have a very low boiling point, such as ether. These substances pose a significant risk of fire. A water bath should be used for such materials.
10. An open beaker or flask with chemicals or solvents should never be heated on a hot plate. A condenser should be used to prevent sublimation of chemicals on heating.
11. If solvents need to be added when the system is already hot, a dropping funnel should be used instead of a simple funnel. Direct addition of solvents may create a flash fire.
12. Metal foil or metal containers should never be placed on the hot plate. This can cause the top to be damaged and may lead to the user getting burned more easily.
13. No hot plate should be left unattended. After use, when the heating is turned off, the plate should be marked as hot until it has cooled down completely.
3. Dry Ice
1. Safe handling procedure
  1. Dry ice is extremely cold (-78.5 °C). Protective gloves should be worn whenever handling it. A brief touch may be harmless, but prolonged contact can cause skin cells to freeze, causing a burn to the skin.
  2. Dry ice should be stored in a polystyrene container in a -80 °C freezer to minimize its sublimation.
  3. A completely airtight container should never be used to store dry ice since its sublimation to carbon dioxide gas can cause the container to expand or even explode in extreme cases.
  4. The storage area should be properly ventilated.The sublimated carbon dioxide gas, (which is toxic at higher concentrations) may sink to low areas and replace oxygenated air. This could cause suffocation if prolonged periods of time are spent in areas of high CO₂ concentration.
  5. After use, dry ice should never be disposed of in the sink or trash can. It can either be allowed to evaporate off inside a fume hood or stored in the freezer.
  6. Dry ice sublimates at about 5-10 pounds every 24 h (blocks last longer) in a typical storage cooler¹. Hence, plan to purchase dry ice as close as possible to the time it is needed.
  7. In case of dry ice burns, the area should be immediately washed under cold water for at least 10 min. A first responder should be contacted who can cover up the area with sterile dressing or refer the person for medical attention.
4. Liquid Nitrogen
1. Primary hazards
  1. Liquid nitrogen has a boiling point of −195.79 °C, which can cause burns to the skin if contacted, while eye exposure can lead to permanent eye damage even from a brief exposure.
  2. Asphyxiation is the condition of oxygen deficiency. Liquid nitrogen can expand 695 times in volume, and upon vaporization can cause extreme oxygen deficiency in the surrounding air, leading to suffocation, unconsciousness, and death under extreme circumstances.
  3. While transferring liquid nitrogen, oxygen in the air surrounding the cryogen containment system can dissolve and create an oxygen-enriched environment. During the transfer of liquid nitrogen from a dewar to another vessel, care should be taken to reduce the exposure of the liquid nitrogen to the ambient air, due to the liquefaction of oxygen. The boiling point of nitrogen is lower than oxygen, leading to a faster rate of evaporation of oxygen and a subsequent increase in the concentration of liquid O₂ in N₂. In addition to causing burns (like any other cryogen), liquid O₂ is flammable and must be handled accordingly. Equipment requiring cryogenic cooling should be free of combustible materials to reduce fire and explosion occurrences. Condensed oxygen in a cold trap may combine with organic material in the trap to create an explosive mixture².
2. Safe handling procedures
  1. The use of liquid nitrogen should be done in well-ventilated areas.
  2. Special vacuum-sealed containers, called dewars, can withstand the low temperatures of cryogens and should be used for storage and transportation. Cryogens should never be stored in tightly sealed containers.
  3. Liquid nitrogen should not be stored in uncovered containers for long periods.
  4. The storage cylinders or Dewar flasks should not be more than 80% full.
  5. Liquid nitrogen containers should never be touched with bare hands. The extreme cold can cause the skin to stick to the container walls.
  6. Appropriate clothing while handling liquid nitrogen is mandatory. Lab coats, safety glasses, close-toed shoes, and thermal gloves should be worn. When pouring out liquid nitrogen from large containers, facial masks/helmets should also be worn, since the liquid tends to splatter a lot, especially when poured into a large vessel.
  7. In case of hazards or emergency situations, the affected person should be moved to an extremely well ventilated area and a physician should be called.

Overview

Procedure

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1. Bunsen Burner

Safe handling procedure
1. The Bunsen burner should always be placed no less than 12 inches away from any overhead shelving, equipment, or light fixtures.
2. Any combustible substances, such as papers or chemicals, should not be kept in the area adjacent to the burner.
3. The user should know the location of the fire extinguisher.
4. Proper clothing is necessary. The user should wear a lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves. Any long hair or jewellery should be tied back. It is recommended to remove all jewellery worn while working with open flames.
5. Before lighting the burner, the hose connected to the gas source should be checked for any leaks or holes.
6. Anyone working in the nearby area should be notified that the burner will be in use. Appropriate signage should be used that alerts users to the burner operation.
7. A lighter with an extended nozzle should be used to light the burner.
8. An open flame should never be left unattended. The gas should be shut off immediately after use.
9. The burner should be allowed to cool down before handling or cleaning, if necessary, after use.
10. In case of fire or emergency, a call to 911 should be placed immediately.

2. Hot Plates

Features of hot plates
1. Most hot plates have a built-in magnetic stirrer, which is used for running experiments that need to be continuously stirred while being heated.
2. The surfaces of most hot plates are made from aluminum or ceramic. A hot plate should be selected based on temperature requirements and compatibility of the surface with the materials being heated.
3. Most hot plates either have a digital read-out or a thermocouple input for maintaining the desired temperature.

Safe handling procedure
1. The user should be well acquainted with the use of the hot plate. He/she should be aware of the functions of the different parts of the hot plate-on-off switches, temperature controller, stirrer controller, and thermocouple, if used. If stirring is required, a proper temperature bath (e.g., silicone oil) and stir bar will be required. Be sure to verify that the chosen bath fluid is compatible with the temperatures at which the experiment will be conducted.
2. Proper laboratory attire is mandatory. The user should wear a lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves. Heat-protection gloves should be worn when handling hot samples.
3. The user should know the location of the fire extinguisher. Liquid nitrogen or water should never be used to extinguish fire from oil bath being heated on a hot plate. Water is immiscible in oil and will therefore be ineffective for extinguishing any flames derived from burning oil. If liquid nitrogen is poured on hot oil, the nitrogen will quickly evaporate, causing the oil to splatter.
4. The glassware used for heating should be heat resistant, such as borosilicate, and inspected for any damage or cracks before use.
5. The user should be well aware of the physical and chemical properties of the chemicals being heated. If necessary, condensers or operation within a vented fume hood should be employed.
6. Any object being heated must be smaller in size than the hot plate.
7. Any flammable or combustible chemicals or materials should be kept away from hot plates.
8. It is recommended to use hot plates inside a fume hood, especially when heating volatile or potentially toxic materials.
9. Hot plates should not be used for heating solvents or materials which have a very low boiling point, such as ether. These substances pose a significant risk of fire. A water bath should be used for such materials.
10. An open beaker or flask with chemicals or solvents should never be heated on a hot plate. A condenser should be used to prevent sublimation of chemicals on heating.
11. If solvents need to be added when the system is already hot, a dropping funnel should be used instead of a simple funnel. Direct addition of solvents may create a flash fire.
12. Metal foil or metal containers should never be placed on the hot plate. This can cause the top to be damaged and may lead to the user getting burned more easily.
13. No hot plate should be left unattended. After use, when the heating is turned off, the plate should be marked as hot until it has cooled down completely.
3. Dry Ice
1. Safe handling procedure
  1. Dry ice is extremely cold (-78.5 °C). Protective gloves should be worn whenever handling it. A brief touch may be harmless, but prolonged contact can cause skin cells to freeze, causing a burn to the skin.
  2. Dry ice should be stored in a polystyrene container in a -80 °C freezer to minimize its sublimation.
  3. A completely airtight container should never be used to store dry ice since its sublimation to carbon dioxide gas can cause the container to expand or even explode in extreme cases.
  4. The storage area should be properly ventilated.The sublimated carbon dioxide gas, (which is toxic at higher concentrations) may sink to low areas and replace oxygenated air. This could cause suffocation if prolonged periods of time are spent in areas of high CO₂ concentration.
  5. After use, dry ice should never be disposed of in the sink or trash can. It can either be allowed to evaporate off inside a fume hood or stored in the freezer.
  6. Dry ice sublimates at about 5-10 pounds every 24 h (blocks last longer) in a typical storage cooler¹. Hence, plan to purchase dry ice as close as possible to the time it is needed.
  7. In case of dry ice burns, the area should be immediately washed under cold water for at least 10 min. A first responder should be contacted who can cover up the area with sterile dressing or refer the person for medical attention.
4. Liquid Nitrogen
1. Primary hazards
  1. Liquid nitrogen has a boiling point of −195.79 °C, which can cause burns to the skin if contacted, while eye exposure can lead to permanent eye damage even from a brief exposure.
  2. Asphyxiation is the condition of oxygen deficiency. Liquid nitrogen can expand 695 times in volume, and upon vaporization can cause extreme oxygen deficiency in the surrounding air, leading to suffocation, unconsciousness, and death under extreme circumstances.
  3. While transferring liquid nitrogen, oxygen in the air surrounding the cryogen containment system can dissolve and create an oxygen-enriched environment. During the transfer of liquid nitrogen from a dewar to another vessel, care should be taken to reduce the exposure of the liquid nitrogen to the ambient air, due to the liquefaction of oxygen. The boiling point of nitrogen is lower than oxygen, leading to a faster rate of evaporation of oxygen and a subsequent increase in the concentration of liquid O₂ in N₂. In addition to causing burns (like any other cryogen), liquid O₂ is flammable and must be handled accordingly. Equipment requiring cryogenic cooling should be free of combustible materials to reduce fire and explosion occurrences. Condensed oxygen in a cold trap may combine with organic material in the trap to create an explosive mixture².
2. Safe handling procedures
  1. The use of liquid nitrogen should be done in well-ventilated areas.
  2. Special vacuum-sealed containers, called dewars, can withstand the low temperatures of cryogens and should be used for storage and transportation. Cryogens should never be stored in tightly sealed containers.
  3. Liquid nitrogen should not be stored in uncovered containers for long periods.
  4. The storage cylinders or Dewar flasks should not be more than 80% full.
  5. Liquid nitrogen containers should never be touched with bare hands. The extreme cold can cause the skin to stick to the container walls.
  6. Appropriate clothing while handling liquid nitrogen is mandatory. Lab coats, safety glasses, close-toed shoes, and thermal gloves should be worn. When pouring out liquid nitrogen from large containers, facial masks/helmets should also be worn, since the liquid tends to splatter a lot, especially when poured into a large vessel.
  7. In case of hazards or emergency situations, the affected person should be moved to an extremely well ventilated area and a physician should be called.

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Transcript

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The application of extreme temperature techniques is an essential part in scientific research and industrial processes. Hence adequate safety training is a prerequisite to avoid injuries.

High temperatures are often required for chemical reactions or distillations. Open flames are frequently used for sterilization and modification of laboratory and medical equipment.

On the other hand, very low temperatures are often necessary to control highly exothermic reactions and for cooling of instruments such as a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer or a Schlenk line.

Hot plates and Bunsen burners are commonly used for high temperature operations, while dry ice or liquid nitrogen is applied for extreme cooling. However, all of these sources can provide significant hazards if not handled carefully.

This video will illustrate the hazardous nature of extreme temperature techniques, how to safely operate and work with these sources, and what to do in case of an emergency.

A Bunsen burner uses methane, propane, or butane to create an open flame. The temperature of this flame can be roughly adjusted between 250-1200 degrees Celsius.

In comparison, a hot plate consists of a flat surface made of aluminum or ceramics and uses electricity to generate heat. Hot plates do not have open flames and can be controlled more accurately with temperatures ranging between 50-350?C.

If necessary, higher temperatures can be achieved with special hot plates reaching up to 1250?C. To avoid fire hazards, the open flames and high temperatures of hot sources should be handled very carefully.

Cold sources can be hazardous as well. Dry ice, which is the solid form of carbon dioxide, provides temperatures as low as -78?C. In addition to cold burns, excessive sublimation of dry ice could lead to carbon dioxide gas build up in a very short time, posing a danger of hypercapnia.

Lastly, liquid nitrogen - a cryogenic fluid - is used when even lower temperatures are necessary. It can provide a bath temperature as low as -196?C.

Liquid nitrogen can expand 695 times in volume, and upon vaporization can cause extreme oxygen deficiency in the surrounding air, leading to suffocation, unconsciousness, and death under extreme circumstances.

In addition, prolonged exposure to skin can quickly result in frostbite. Short exposure to the eye fluids can permanently damage the eyes.

Now that you know about the properties and hazards of the heat and cold sources, let's take a look at how to safely work with these components.

Before using any hot source, make yourself familiar about the location of a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket. Remove jewelry and tie back long hair. Always wear a lab coat, safety glasses, close-toed shoes, and gloves. You should also consider using thermal protective gloves, which insulate effectively up to 650 ?C.

Clean the area of any combustible substances such as paper or chemicals. Place the Bunsen burner away from overhead equipment, or light fixtures by at least 12 inches. Check the hose connection to the gas source for any leaks and use appropriate signage to notify that burner is in operation. Use a lighter with an extended nozzle for lighting the burner.

Once the Bunsen burner is operating, never leave the open flame unattended. When you are done, close the valve on the Bunsen burner, shut off the gas immediately and close the connection to the gas source, letting the burner cool before handling or cleaning after use.

Many hot plates come with a built-in magnetic stirrer, digital read-out and a thermocouple input for adjusting and maintaining the temperature.

Like for the Bunsen burner, know the location of the fire extinguisher and which type to use. Never use water or liquid nitrogen to extinguish oil bath fire, but instead a class B fire extinguisher.

Always wear personal protective equipment while working with a hotplate. When heating volatile and hazardous substances, remove flammable or combustible materials from around the hot plate and place the hot plate in the hood.

Once you have familiarized yourself with the properties and scale of your experiment, choose the right size hot plate, heat resistant and crack free glassware made of borosilicate, and an oil bath.

Make sure the experiment temperature is below the flashpoint of your oil bath. Always use a condenser, when heating volatile solvents or substances.

If solvent needs to be added to the heated experiment, use a pressure-equalizing dropping funnel. Do not add solvent directly, as it might cause a flash fire. As with the Bunsen burner, do not leave the hot plate unattended.

Materials with a very low boiling point, such as diethyl ether, should be heated using a water bath instead of an oil bath to avoid a significant risk of fire.

If metal foil or metal containers, such as aluminum blocks, are used for heating, special attention and caution should be applied. In comparison to an oil bath, it is not possible to see if it is hot or cold, therefore always check the temperature with a thermometer and use heat-resistant gloves.

Now that you have learned about the use of hot sources, let's take a look at the other extreme - the cold sources.

Dry ice should be stored in a polystyrene container and if possible in a cold room to minimize sublimation. Store dry ice in properly ventilated areas to avoid hypercapnia. Do not use a completely airtight container to avoid expansion of the container and possibly an explosion caused by subliming dry ice.

Wear protective personal equipment when handling dry ice. For extra protection, you can wear cryogenic gloves, which contain a multi-layer insulation against the low temperatures. Furthermore, to obtain and transport small quantities of dry ice, use a big plastic scoop and a polystyrene bucket.

When finished, either put the clean dry ice back into the storing container or allow it to sublime. If a cooling bath was made using dry ice, dispose of it in the hazardous waste container. Never, dispose dry ice directly in the sink or trash can.

Liquid nitrogen is stored and handled using Dewars, which is a type of double-walled containers with a vacuum in between the walls.

Always wear protective personal equipment when handling liquid nitrogen. This includes insulating gloves and a facial mask, especially when pouring liquid nitrogen as the liquid tends to splatter.

Make sure all areas are well ventilated. When transferring liquid nitrogen, never fill the Dewar more than 80% full and never close the container tightly to prevent pressure build up. Furthermore, extra precaution should be taken when using a Schlenk line. If the cold trap is immersed in liquid nitrogen, and air is being pulled, it can condense oxygen into the cooling trap, creating explosive mixtures of liquid oxygen with organic materials in the trap.

Remember, that hot and cold sources can be a hazard and a health risk.

In case of a small fire use the appropriate extinguisher. If the fire is too large, pull the fire alarm or call 911. Evacuate the building following the emergency instructions of your institution.

In case of a skin burn caused by a hot source, hold the affected area under cold water for at least 10 minutes. In case of a cold burn, hold the affected area under tepid and not hot water for at least 10 minutes. Do not rub the affected area, apply a sterile dressing, and seek further medical attention.

In case of splashes of either very hot or cold substances in your eyes, immediately flush with copious amount of water using eyewash and seek medical attention.

In case of dizziness or consciousness loss, when working with liquid nitrogen or dry ice, move the affected person into a well-ventilated area and seek further medical attention if necessary.

You've just watched JoVE's introduction to working with hot and cold sources. You should now understand the hazards of these materials, how to safely work with them, and what to do in case of an emergency such as a fire or burn. As always, thanks for watching!

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