ASTM E2012-99
(Guide)Standard Guide for Preparation of Binary Chemical Compatibility Chart
Standard Guide for Preparation of Binary Chemical Compatibility Chart
SCOPE
1.1 A binary chemical compatibility chart (also called inter-reactivity chart) compares the hazards associated with the mixing of two different materials. This guide provides an aid for the preparation of these charts. It reviews a number of issues that are critical in the preparation of such charts: accurate assessment of chemical compatibility, suitable experimental techniques for gathering compatibility information, incorporation of user-friendliness, and provision for revisions.
1.2 The uses of chemical compatibility charts are summarized in this standard.
1.3 This guide also reviews existing public domain compatibility charts, the differences therein, and their advantages and disadvantages.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: E 2012 – 99
Standard Guide for
Preparation of Binary Chemical Compatibility Chart
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2012; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 scenario—a detailed physical description of the pro-
cess whereby a potential inadvertent combination of materials
1.1 A binary chemical compatibility chart (also called inter-
may occur.
reactivity chart) compares the hazards associated with the
mixing of two different materials. This guide provides an aid
4. Summary of Practice
for the preparation of these charts. It reviews a number of
4.1 A binary chemical compatibility chart indicates whether,
issues that are critical in the preparation of such charts:
under a given set of conditions (the scenario), combination of
accurate assessment of chemical compatibility, suitable experi-
two materials does or does not yield a specified undesired
mental techniques for gathering compatibility information,
consequence.
incorporation of user-friendliness, and provision for revisions.
4.2 Determine the scenario for the determination of com-
1.2 The uses of chemical compatibility charts are summa-
patibility and the degree of reaction that constitutes incompat-
rized.
ibility. Both should be identified in the title of the chart. Define
1.3 This guide also reviews existing public domain compat-
the materials within the scope of the chart. Define the test,
ibility charts, the differences therein, and their advantages and
calculation, or judgment that is used to make a decision. List
disadvantages.
the materials as both columns and rows of a grid. At the
2. Referenced Documents intersections of the grid, note whether the materials are
compatible. To avoid duplicate entries, a triangular chart is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
required. If a decision on compatibility was not by the standard
E 537 Test Method for Assessing the Thermal Stability of
means (as defined by the user) or the scenario differs, indicate
Chemicals by Methods of Differential Thermal Analysis
by footnote the basis for the decision or the change in scenario.
E 698 Test Method for Arrhenius Kinetic Constants for
The chart should be dated and the author identified. See Fig. 1
Thermally Unstable Materials
for an example of a binary compatibility chart.
E 1231 Practice for Calculation of Hazard Potential
Figures-of-Merit for Thermally Unstable Materials
5. Significance and Use
P 168 Guide for Estimating the Incompatibility of Selected
3 5.1 Various governmental regulations require that incompat-
Hazardous Wastes Based on Binary Chemical Reactions
ible materials not be transported together and that chemical
2.2 NFPA Standard:
4 reactivity be considered in process hazard and risk analysis. A
NFPA 491 Guide to Hazardous Chemical Reactions
chemical compatibility chart is one tool to be used to satisfy
2.3 Federal Standard:
5 these regulations. Binary compatibility charts are useful teach-
46 CFR Compatibility of Cargoes
ing tools in general education in the chemical plant or
3. Terminology laboratory and for areas and operations where commonly
performed tasks might lead to chemical mixtures, such as
3.1 Definitions:
might occur during co-shipment in compartmentalized contain-
3.1.1 compatibility—the ability of materials to exist in
ers, storage in a common area, or compositing waste. Compat-
contact without specified (usually hazardous) consequences
ibility information is essential during process hazard reviews
under a defined scenario.
(for example, HAZOP). These charts may provide guidance on
DOT HM-183 to terminal operators, which requires that
materials on adjacent compartments of multicompartment tank
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-27 on Hazard
trucks are compatible. They provide documentation that the
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.02 on
potential for inadvertent mixing as a potential source of heat
Thermal Stability and Condensed Phases.
Current edition approved April 10, 1999. Published July 1999.
and gas evolution from chemical reactions has been considered
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
in sizing relief devices. Compatibility charts serve as check
Discontinued; see 1988 Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
lists for use during process hazard reviews, and the preparation
Available from National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park,
Quincy, MA 02269.
of the chart itself often brings attention to potential hazards that
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
were previously unknown.
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 2012
NOTE 1—Scenario: Ambient temperature mixing under adiabatic, non-vented conditions. Time of mixing is 4 h.
NOTE 2—Definition of incompatibility: Adiabatic temperature rise greater than 25°C, or a gassy reaction.
FIG. 1 Hypothetical Compatibility Chart for Process Y at Site X
5.2 A binary chart only considers pairs of materials and, 6.1.1.1 Specific quantities of materials,
therefore, does not cover all possible combinations of materials
6.1.1.2 Storage temperatures,
in an operation. A common third component, for example
6.1.1.3 Confinement (closed or open system), and
acidic or basic catalysts, may be covered by footnoting the
6.1.1.4 The maximum times the materials may be in con-
potential for catalysis of a reaction between otherwise compat-
tact.
ible materials, but the form of the chart does not ensure this.
6.1.1.5 These factors (and others) may contribute to the
There may be reactive ternary systems that will escape
assignment of compatibility. Further discussion of the scenario
detection in a binary chart.
dependence of compatibility may be found in Appendix X1.
6. Procedure
6.1.2 Define Incompatibility Within the Scenario
Framework—An effective chart should clearly convey the
6.1 The following is a step-by-step procedure, which may
be followed, to prepare a compatibility chart. criteria for defining two materials as incompatible. In a general
6.1.1 Define the Scenario—Chemical compatibility depends sense, chemical incompatibility implies that there may be
heavily on the mixing scenario. The scenario is a detailed undesirable consequences when mixing these materials at a
physical description of the process and conditions whereby a macroscopic scale. These consequences might be in a worst
potential inadvertent combination of materials may occur. case a fast chemical reaction or an explosion, or in a less severe
Consider including the following in the specification of the case, an undesirable temperature rise, which might take the
mixing scenario: mixture above its flash point or cause an unacceptable pressure
E 2012
TABLE 1 An Example of Hazard Levels and Typical Associated
increase in the system. If, however, the tank where the mixing
Emergency Response Actions
will occur is inerted with nitrogen, and the material has an
Hazard
acceptably low vapor pressure increase, then even this tem-
Hazard Level Suggested Emergency Response
Rating
perature rise might not pose a practical problem. Consequently,
0 Minimal Report inadvertent mixing event to supervision; no
a working definition of incompatibility needs to be formulated
further action necessary.
before compatibility judgments can be effectively and accu-
rately made. Examples of mixing scenarios and incompatibility 1 Caution Report event to supervision; devise and implement
plan(s) to manage the situation; no emergency
definitions are given in 6.1.2.1-6.1.2.3.
procedures to be initiated.
6.1.2.1 Ambient temperature in summer, northern climate
2 Danger Report event to supervision; prepare to initiate unit
(;25°C); 5000 gallon scale; insulated, vented storage tank;
emergency plan if needed; notify personnel in
storage time seven days maximum, nitrogen padded headspace
immediate area; consider halting normal activities
(chemical transport scenario). Incompatible if temperature rise until extent of situation is fully assessed.
greater than 25°C, or gassy reaction.
3 Severe danger Report event to supervision; initiate unit
6.1.2.2 Ambient temperature in a hotter, subtropical climate
emergency plan; notify all plant personnel; cease
normal activities until extent of situation is fully
(;40°C), drum (55 gal) storage of mixed waste for three
assessed; consider need to evacuate the plant;
months maximum. No release from the drum is allowed.
report event to plant industrial security and other
6.1.2.3 Room temperature, gallon bottles, loosely capped, ex-plant Emergency Response groups.
one month maximum storage time (typical lab waste scenario).
4 Extreme danger Initiate unit emergency plan; notify all plant
No evolution of flammable vapor, toxic gas, and no tempera-
personnel to evacuate the area; cease normal
activities, if possible, before evacuating; report
ture rise greater than 10°C.
event to plant industrial security and other ex-plant
6.1.3 Compile Compatibility Chart—The following steps
Emergency Response groups once evacuation is
may be followed for constructing the compatibility chart. underway or complete.
Appendix X2 contains additional information related to the
preparation of a chart.
6.1.3.1 State the Scenario—In the preparation of a compat-
combinations might be legitimately known to be compatible
ibility chart, consider stating explicitly on the chart both the
whereas other combinations within these same two groups may
scenario and the scenario based definition of incompatibility.
not be. It may be best to provide the worst case compatibility
6.1.3.2 Decide on a Hazard Rating Scheme—The reference
rating in the actual chart with a separate list of compatible
scale for the individual degree of mixing hazard needs to be
exceptions. It may be prudent to include additional useful
formulated. In certain instances, it may be desirable to have a
compatibility information, such as compatibility of chemicals
simple yes (compatibile)/no (incompatible) scale (yes meaning
with materials of construction, water (from process streams or
the mixture is compatible). In other instances, ratings that
from rain in diked areas), cleaning agents, sealants, and
convey more information may be advantageous. For example,
adsorbents. Heat might be considered as an entry to flag
a numerical score of 1, 2, and 3 might be appropriate with 1
particularly heat sensitive materials, such as polymerizable
indicative of a compatible mixture, a 2 might indicate a
monomers. Consultation with a wide variety of personnel
moderate hazard (such as, a temperature increase of 10°C or
(management, engineers, operators, and so forth) may aid in
less), and a 3 might indicate a severe hazard (such as
the determination of which materials are present at a site and
polymerization or spontaneous combustion). Another example
which ones should be included in the chart.
of a hazard rating scheme is given in Table 1. Note that in this
6.1.3.4 Consider the Hazards for All Binary
example, the hazard rating scheme also conveys information
Combinations—The potential hazard for each and every binary
about procedures for emergency response, but it may be
mixture needs to be carefully considered. Avoid using blanks
decided not to include this information in the chart. The use of
(empty cells) in compatibility charts since blanks may indicate
color (if available in the charting tool) may also aid in the ease
that there is no hazard or, simply, that the hazard is unknown.
of understanding the chart. For example, green for safe,
Clearly distinguishing between a non-hazard and an unknown
compatible mixtures; red for reactive, incompatible mixtures.
hazard is an important consideration. See Appendix X2 for
Care must always be exercised to avoid making the chart too
sources of compatibility information.
complicated, because its practical usefulness might be lost.
6.1.3.5 Document How the Decisions Are Made—Backup
and supporting data should be easily accessible for chart users
6.1.3.3 Define the Categories—The definition of categories
for the chart is an important part of chart construction. For and should allow for easier chart updates. If testing was
small plants and operations, each chemical may be included in performed to make a decision about a particular binary
the chart and the resulting chart may still be of manageable combination in a chart, then a reference to this test should be
size. For more general compatibility charts, for example, for a included in the chart.
large manufacturing site, construct a chart by grouping chemi- 6.1.3.6 Label the Chart—Make sure that the chart is dated
cals into natural classifications based on their chemical struc- and that the title of the chart clearly states the purpose of the
ture. Examples of these groupings are mineral acids, aliphatic chart, such as Chemical Compatibility Chart for the Styrene
amines, monomers, water-based formulations, halogenated Polymerization Plant A–104, last updated 9/98. Scenarios may
hydrocarbons, and so forth. One limitation with this manner of differ from process to process, and if the chart is not specifi-
construction is that for a number of classes, certain binary cally labeled as to the intended use, there is a danger that the
E 2012
chart may be used in a process for which it was not intended, of the individual components, no incompatibilities may exist,
with possible undesired consequences. Since a large plant often regardless of the scenario. On the other hand, if substantial
has distinct areas, it may be desirable to include only those incompatibility exists between the substances, then a large
materials in each area in the chart. This avoids making the chart mixing heat will be observed or the DSC trace will show a
needlessly large and complicated. large exotherm detected at a lower temperature (with respect to
the individual component DSC traces), or both. Unfortunately,
7. Test Methods: Experimental Tools for the
both these behaviors are rare in practice and, often, the results
Determination of Compatibility
fall in between the two extreme cases just described. The
7.1 In certain cases, an experimental determination of the
analyst then may have a more difficult time in assessing the
compatibility is the most prudent approach. This may be
results. For these reasons, it may be desirable to estimate the
necessary if the
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