Other Hazards

SPECIFIC MANUFACTURING AND USE HAZARDS

Hydrogen

Hydrogen (H₂) is a co-product of all chlorine manufactured by the electrolysis of aqueous brine solutions.  Within a known concentration range, mixtures of chlorine and hydrogen are flammable and potentially explosive.  The reaction of chlorine and hydrogen can be initiated by direct sunlight, other sources of ultraviolet light, static electricity, or sharp impact (See CI Pamphlet 121).

Nitrogen Trichloride

Small quantities of nitrogen trichloride (NCl₃), an unstable and highly explosive compound, can be produced in the manufacture of chlorine.  When liquid chlorine containing nitrogen trichloride is evaporated, the nitrogen trichloride may concentrate to hazardous concentrations in the residue (See CI Pamphlets 21 and 152).

Oils and Grease

Chlorine can react, at times explosively, with a number of organic materials such as oil and grease from sources such as air compressors, valves, pumps, oil-diaphragm instrumentation, pipe thread lubricants, as well as wood and rags from maintenance work.

OTHER HAZARDS

Fire

Chlorine is neither explosive nor flammable.  Chlorine will support combustion under certain conditions.  Many materials that burn in oxygen (air) atmospheres will also burn in chlorine atmospheres.

Chemical Action/Reactions

Chlorine has a very strong chemical affinity for many substances.  It will react with many inorganic and organic compounds, usually with the evolution of heat.  Chlorine reacts with some metals under a variety of conditions.

Corrosive Action on Steel

At ambient temperatures, dry chlorine, either liquid or gas, does not corrode steel.  Wet chlorine is highly corrosive because it forms hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids.  Precautions should be taken to keep chlorine and chlorine equipment dry.  Piping, valves, and containers should be closed or capped when not in use to keep out atmospheric moisture such as precipitation or humidity.  If water is used on a chlorine leak, the resulting corrosive conditions will make the leak worse.

Volumetric Expansion

The volume of liquid chlorine increases with temperature.  Precautions should be taken to avoid hydrostatic rupture of piping, vessels, containers, or other equipment filled with liquid chlorine.

Excerpt from Chlorine Basics LINK, Sections 2.6 & 2.7