Biodiesel Laboratory

[MA_PE]

Does anyone out there have any experiience with wiring methods in Biodiesel Laboratories? I am concerned that maybe this should be classified as a hazardous location.

 

[Buck Parrish]

classified as a hazardous location.

I've never worked on one. But it has to be hazardous.

 

[charlie]

Diesel is not considered to be a Class I material, I doubt that bio-diesel would be either. If that is a true statement, Chapter 5 would not apply to the wiring methods. :smile:

 

[iwire]

Like many New England homeowners at any given time I have 10 to 275 gallons of diesel (AKA Fuel oil) stored in my basement. Luckily it is not considered a classified area.

 

[G0049]

Diesel is also great stuff for washing grease off your hands. However, the OP asked about a "biodiesel laboratory." If this is a typical lab setting, there will likely be other solvents, probably more hazardous than the biodiesel, present. So, the answer to his question depends on the other chemicals present and whether they would be used in the open, or in a fume hood.

 

[charlie]

. . . the answer to his question depends on the other chemicals present and whether they would be used in the open, or in a fume hood.

Great response, I agree! :smile:

 

[winnie]

Biodiesel is made by reacting fat with an alcohol, to render the alcohol-fatty acid esters. The resulting biodiesel is quite safe (non-toxic, high flash point, etc).

IMHO the issue is the safety of the alcohol, usually methanol, used for the process.

-Jon