A Glue-Making Process Releases Ethylene Glycol That Becomes Generally Diluted

Essay

A glue-making process releases ethylene glycol that becomes generally diluted and interspersed throughout the plant atmosphere.The rate of release is 2.4 cubic feet per hour vapor volume at standard plant temperature and pressure.The plant ventilation system is of the general dilution type with make-up air being supplied at windows and doors throughout the plant area.The plant area is 4000 square feet and the average ceiling height is 12 feet.The problem is to specify the capacity of the general ventilation system required to maintain a steady state condition throughout this process area that protects against both health and safety hazards due to ethylene glycol.For your information in performing calculations the following data is provided:
ETHYLENE GLYCOL (CH₂OHCH₂OH)
Molecular weight: 62.1
Boiling point: 197.5^o Celsius
LEL: 3.2%
Firepoint: -13^o Celsius
Flash point: 232^o Fahrenheit
Autoignition temperature: 752^o Fahrenheit
Vapor Pressure: 0.05 mm @ 20^o Celsius
PEL: 50 ppm (Ceiling)

(a)Calculate how much exhaust ventilation (in cubic feet per hour,general dilution type)is required to maintain safety hazards below explosive levels.Show your work.

(b) Calculate how much exhaust ventilation (in cubic feet per hour, general dilution type) is required to maintain health hazards below OSHA-specified Action Levels (AL). Show your work.

(c) Calculate how many plant area room changes per hour the level of ventilation calculated in part (b) would represent. Show your work