Adding viscosity reducing dispersants: Safety strings should not be loosened
In industrial production, viscosity reducing dispersants are like a "behind-the-scenes hero" that can
effectively reduce material viscosity, promote particle dispersion, and improve production efficiency and
product quality. However, it is not a "gentle angel". If safety issues are ignored during the addition process,
it may cause a series of dangers. Today, let's talk about the safety points that must be paid attention to
when adding viscosity reducing dispersants.
Comprehensively understand the characteristics of the product, and don't panic
Before contacting the viscosity reducing dispersant, be sure to carefully read the product instructions and
safety data sheets (MSDS). These materials are like the "identity cards" of the viscosity reducing dispersant,
which record in detail its chemical composition, physical properties, toxicity, corrosiveness, flammability and
explosiveness and other key information.
Different types of viscosity reducing dispersants have very different characteristics. Some viscosity reducing
dispersants may be highly corrosive. Products containing strong acid or strong alkali ingredients, once in
contact with the skin or eyes, will quickly cause chemical burns, leading to redness, swelling, pain, and even
permanent damage. Some viscosity reducing dispersants may be flammable and explosive substances, which
can easily cause fire or explosion accidents when exposed to high temperature, open flames or oxidants. Only
by deeply understanding these characteristics can we take preventive measures in advance during the addition
process, so that we can be well prepared and not panic when encountering problems.
Take good personal protection and build a solid first line of defense for safety
Personal protective equipment is our "talisman" when adding viscosity reducing dispersants, and must be worn
and used correctly.
For viscosity reducing dispersants that may come into contact with the skin and eyes, protective clothing, protective
gloves and goggles should be worn. Protective clothing should be made of chemically resistant materials that can
effectively block the damage of viscosity reducing dispersants to the skin; protective gloves should be made of
suitable materials according to the properties of viscosity reducing dispersants, such as rubber gloves, nitrile gloves,
etc.; goggles should ensure good sealing to prevent liquid from splashing into the eyes.
If there is dust in the operating environment, you also need to wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling dust and causing
damage to the respiratory system. In some special cases, such as handling highly toxic or volatile viscosity-reducing
dispersants, it may be necessary to wear a gas mask to provide more comprehensive respiratory protection.
Standardize the operating environment and eliminate potential safety hazards
The safety of the operating environment is directly related to whether the process of adding viscosity-reducing
dispersants is smooth.
First, ensure that the operating area is well ventilated. Many viscosity-reducing dispersants will volatilize harmful
gases. If the ventilation is not smooth, these gases will accumulate in the air. When they reach a certain concentration,
they will cause poisoning hazards to the human body, and symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing
will occur. Ventilation equipment such as exhaust fans and ventilation ducts can be installed to discharge harmful gases
outdoors in time to keep the air fresh.
Secondly, the operating area should be away from fire and heat sources. Flammable and explosive viscosity-reducing
dispersants are very likely to cause fire or explosion when encountering open flames or high temperatures. Therefore,
it is strictly forbidden to smoke, use open flames, or perform operations such as electric welding that may produce
sparks in the operating area. At the same time, the viscosity-reducing dispersant should be stored in a cool and dry
place to avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environments.
In addition, the operation site should be kept clean and orderly to avoid the accumulation of debris. Debris will not
only affect the operation space, but may also hinder the evacuation and rescue of personnel in the event of an accident.
Standardize the addition process and eliminate illegal operations
Strictly following the prescribed addition process is the key to ensuring safety.
Before adding the viscosity reducing dispersant, the equipment should be inspected and maintained to ensure that the
equipment operates normally without leakage. If the equipment fails or leaks, the viscosity reducing dispersant may leak
out, causing environmental pollution or causing safety accidents.
During the addition process, the addition speed and amount should be controlled. Too fast addition speed may cause
excessive local concentration, violent reaction or splashing; too much addition may exceed the processing capacity of
the equipment, causing overflow or other problems. You can use precise addition equipment such as metering pumps to
ensure the accuracy of the addition amount.
At the same time, pay attention to the order and method of addition. Some viscosity reducing dispersants need to be
diluted before adding, while others need to be mixed with other substances in a specific ratio before adding. If the order
or method of addition is wrong, it may affect the effect of the viscosity reducing dispersant and even cause danger.
Properly handle waste to avoid secondary pollution
Waste generated after adding viscosity-reducing dispersants, such as used packaging containers, residual viscosity-reducing
dispersants, etc., if not properly handled, will cause harm to the environment and human health.
For discarded packaging containers containing viscosity-reducing dispersants, they cannot be discarded or treated as ordinary
garbage at will. They should be cleaned first to remove the residual viscosity-reducing dispersants, and then recycled or treated
in accordance with relevant regulations. If there are more residual viscosity-reducing dispersants in the discarded packaging
containers, it is necessary to entrust a professional hazardous waste treatment unit to handle them.
Residual viscosity-reducing dispersants cannot be discharged directly into the environment. They should be collected and
classified according to their properties, and then treated by appropriate methods, such as neutralization, precipitation, adsorption,
etc., so that they can meet the emission standards before being discharged.
Although adding viscosity-reducing dispersants can bring many conveniences to industrial production, safety issues must not be
ignored. We must fully understand the characteristics of the product, do a good job of personal protection, standardize the
operating environment, strictly follow the addition process, and properly handle waste. Only in this way can we give full play to the
role of viscosity-reducing dispersants and escort industrial production on the premise of ensuring safety.
