Lessons learned from a fuming suIfuric acid tank overflow incident

摘要

Fuming sulfuric acid (oleum), is a highly corrosive solution of sulfur trioxide (SO_3) in concentrated (98%+) sulfuric acid. Commercial concentration of free SO_3 can range from 10 to 70% depending on the use and manufacturer. Fuming sulfuric acid reacts violently with water and is a strong irritant to any tissue. While it may be easy to handle in small, laboratory scale amount, spills of fuming sulfuric acid are difficult to control because of the corrosivity and reactivity. Sulfur trioxide has been added to the list of substances under the CIMAH (Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards) regulation [The Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984, SI 1984, No. 1902, HMSO]~1 for which installations are required to prepare safety reports. This paper reviews and discusses the response to an overflow from an oleum storage tank during unloading from an over-the-road tanker.