Standard Operating Procedure
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Read the EH&S Standard Operating Procedures Fact Sheet before filling out this form.
Print out the completed form and keep a readily accessible hard copy in the lab (also
keeping an electronic copy is highly recommended).
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Date:
November 5, 2010
SOP Title:
LECO High Pressure Operating Protocol
Principal Investigator:
Richmond Sarpong
Room and Building:
926 Latimer
Lab Phone Number:
(510) 643-2485
Section 1 – Process
Ultra-high pressure experiments.
Section 2 – Hazardous Chemicals
Chemicals involved include castor oil, hydraulic oil and copper paste.
Section 3 – Potential Hazards
For more information please see appropriate MSDS.
Castor Oil
Potential Acute Health Effects: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), eye contact
(irritant), ingestion, and/or inhalation.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. Repeated or prolonged exposure is not known to
aggravate medical condition.
Routes of Entry: Absorbed through skin. Eye contact.
Toxicity to Animals: LD50: Not available. LC50: Not available.
Chronic Effects on Humans: Not available.
Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of
inhalation.
Special Remarks on Toxicity to Animals: Not available.
Special Remarks on Chronic Effects on Humans: Not available.
Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans: Acute Potential Health Effects: Skin: May
cause skin irritation. Eyes: May cause eye irritation. Ingestion: May cause digestive tract irritation. It
is considered a purgative and stimulates smooth muscle of the digestive tract. Inhalation: Mist may
cause respiratory tract irritation.
**EMERGENCY FIRST AID PROCEDURES**
Eye Contact: Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes
with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes using an eye wash. Get medical attention if irritation
occurs.
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical
attention if irritation develops.
Serious Skin Contact: Not available.
Inhalation: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is
difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.
Serious Inhalation: Not available.
Ingestion: Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a
physician immediately. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.
Serious Ingestion: Not available.
Hydraulic Oil
ORAL TOXICITY: Greater than 5000 mg/kg in rats. Based on data from components.
EYE IRRITATION: Not expected to cause eye irritation. Based on data from components.
SKIN IRRITATION: Not expected to cause skin irritation. Based on data from components.
TLV: None established. Oil mist = 5 mg/cu meter.
**EMERGENCY FIRST AID PROCEDURES**
SKIN: Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical attention if irritation develops.
Launder contaminated clothing before reuse. If product is injected under pressure into or under the
skin, or into any part of the body, a physician should immediately evaluate the individual regardless of
the appearance of the wound or its size
EYES: Flush eyes with plenty of water for 15 minutes using an eye wash. Get medical attention if eye
irritation develops or persists.
INHALATION: Remove to fresh air. Get medical attention if breathing difficulty persists.
ORAL: Call a physician. Do NOT induce vomiting. Never give anything to an unconscious person by
mouth.
Section 4 – Approvals Required
All experiments should be approved by PI prior to being carried out
Section 5 – Designated Area
The high pressure apparatus can be found in room 926 Latimer Hall. All experiments should be
carried out in this area.
Section 6 – Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements
Castor Oil
Precautions: Keep away from heat and sources of ignition. Empty containers pose a fire risk,
evaporate the residue under a fume hood. Ground all equipment containing material. Do not breathe
gas/fumes/vapor/spray.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed and in a cool, well-ventilated area. Do not store above 24°C
(75.2°F). Prevent from freezing.
Hydraulic Oil
Precautions: Keep containers closed when not in use. Do not handle or store near high heat or flames.
Avoid breathing oil mists, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water after handling.
Section 7 – Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment required include safety glasses, lab coat, and gloves (latex or nitrile)
Section 8 – Engineering/Ventilation Controls
Castor Oil
Provide exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep the airborne concentrations of vapors
below their respective threshold limit value. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are
proximal to the work-station location.
150 Hydraulic Oil
Mechanical ventilation recommended.
Section 9 – Spill and Accident Procedures
150 Hydraulic Oil
Spill Procedures: Prevent entry into sewers and waterways. Pick up free liquid for recycle or disposal.
Absorb small amounts with an inert material.
Castor Oil
Small Spill: Absorb with an inert material and put the spilled material in an appropriate waste
disposal.
Large Spill: Absorb with an inert material and put the spilled material in an appropriate waste
disposal. Finish cleaning by spreading water on the contaminated surface and allow to evacuate
through the sanitary system.
Section 10 – Waste Disposal
Castor Oil
No special waste disposal is required.
150 Hydraulic Oil
Disposal should be in compliance with current federal, state, and local laws. Materials may become
hazardous waste through use. Consider recycling.
Section 11 - Decontamination
If contaminated wash with soap and water.
Section 12 – Process Steps
To Insert Sample:
1. Open chamber, add sample and push syringes to bottom.
2. Add castor oil until ~ 1 inch to top of pressure chamber.
3. Wipe thread and replace lid.
4. Secure center of lid with wrench and begin threading lid.
5. Catch excess castor oil with a pipette in the hold of the lid.
6. If no oil is seen coming out of lid, more must be added.
7. When the lid is all the way tightened, reverse one third turn.
8. Attach sensor (or plug) to hole in center of lid and tighten.
9. Open main valve (counter-clockwise). Motor lever to left.
10. Motor on until 6000 psi on the large gauge. Jog to 7000 psi.
11. Close main valve (clockwise). Wait 30-40 minutes for pressure to equilibrate.
12. Open main valve again and jog pressure to 7000 psi.
13. Close main valve.
14. Release pump pressure: Motor lever to right, jog to 500 psi on small gauge. Motor
lever to left, jog once and small gauge should go to 0.
15. Allow reaction to proceed for desired time interval.
To Remove Sample:
16. Bring back pump pressure: Motor lever to right, jog to 1000 psi -2500 psi on
small gauge.
17. Open main valve slowly so large gauge goes to 0.
18. Turn pump on (piston will go down slowly).
19. When pressure returns to small gauge, turn motor off.
20. Motor lever to left, jog once and small gauge goes to 0.
21. Reverse loading instructions to remove sample. (Be careful not to scratch sides of
chamber with tweezers)
22. Keep as clean as possible.
23. Remove all lab debris (paper towels contaminated with castor oil) from room.
Heating Sample:
Heat castor oil to desired temperature by selecting the desired temperature on heating unit
(0-200oC)
Allow temperature to equilibrate (approximately 30-60 minutes)
Proceed as normal to insert sample (see above)
Note: Care should be taken not to overfill the sample area when heating as the oil will
expand when heated and flow into the threaded section. If the level of castor oil becomes
too high a syringe can be used to remove excess oil.
Alternatively the sample can be inserted, the lid closed, pump to desired pressure and
then heat the unit to the desired temperature. As the temperature increases so does the
pressure. Therefore, do not initially pressurize to final desired pressure as it will be
overshot as temperature increases. After desired temperature has been reached the desired
pressure can be obtained by jogging the system up.
Maintenance: Charles Gates at Leco – (814) 355-7903
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