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Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? (/showthread.php?tid=119004)

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Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - space-time - 06-21-2011

I have this line in the lab which was N2. They did some work and re-labeled it with "Oil Free Compressed Dry Air", but they didn't remove the Nitrogen label. Whan I asked WTF is this, they removed the CDA label and told me it's N2. I don't trust them and I want to check, without climbing in the ceiling to check where the line is really connected. Even then I can't be 100% sure.

if this were another place I would burn a candle and see if it burns, it should NOT if this is indeed N2. I cannot burn a candle here, I would set up fire alarms. I could force one of my less friendly co-workers breathe this stuff and see if they pass out. But I am looking into some non arson, non violent methods.

any ideas?

Thanks


Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - MikeF - 06-21-2011

Second method:



Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - BernDog - 06-21-2011

Does it smell all nitrogeny?

Sorry.


Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - Paul F. - 06-21-2011

A CANDLE would set off the fire alarms? Those are some serious fire alarms!
Even a little tiny birthday cake candle?

The only other thing i can think of is if the coefficient of thermal expansion is significanly different, fill a balloon, and put it in the freezer for a while and measure it... But i don't know if if the difference between N2 and air would be measurable in any reasonable manner.


Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - cbelt3 - 06-21-2011

Politely ask the facility manager to correct the problem. Recommend that he fill a large plastic bag with the gas, then stick his head in there and see if he can breathe. If he is not willing to do that, ask him to re-inspect and certify.. IN WRITING... what the gas is.

Ain't your responsibility (probably). You found a defect, make the idiots fix it.

One of the project test requirements for the water processing system in the international space station was that the Project Manager had to drink a liter of the end product.. which was reprocessed urine. I always thought that was a damn clever requirement. Someone in NASA had a hell of a sense of humor.


Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - haikuman - 06-21-2011

As your Dr and 6'13" Samoan Attorney I advise you to have it replaced with Nitrous Oxide/N2O Then you will know the difference *(:>*


Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - space-time - 06-21-2011

Paul F. wrote:
A CANDLE would set off the fire alarms? Those are some serious fire alarms!
Even a little tiny birthday cake candle?
...

I don't want ot take any chances. Evacuate 100+ people,shut down production, fine from fire marshal.... I would be in serious trouble.

I am gonna run along hose outside the facility and do experiments outside Smile


Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - haikuman - 06-21-2011

"""I am gonna run along hose outside the facility and do experiments outside """

Yikersss ~!~!~!~ High PSI colonic irrigation... you are a very sic man *(:>*

Rudie


Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - Will Collier - 06-21-2011

space-time wrote:
I could force one of my less friendly co-workers breathe this stuff and see if they pass out. But I am looking into some non arson, non violent methods.

any ideas?

Thanks

Spoilsport. I was going to suggest, "Breathe it and see if you turn blue."


Re: Paging all chemistry experts: how can I tell if it's N2 or Air? - OWC Jamie - 06-21-2011

why run a hose outside ?
This lab doesn't have a test tube you could invert fill with the "gas" and walk outside with a shove a match into to see if lack of O puts ithe flame out ?
Not the greatest of tests.
If it's regular compressed air it's not like you've got something explosive in the tube, it's air.


Got a canary ?