At Kumar Instruments, it is a kind of heated bath utilized in a laboratory, most regularly utilized to heat up chemical reactions. It’s basically a vessel of oil that is heated by a Bunsen burner (in rare cases) or a hot plate.
USE
These baths are frequently utilized to heat reaction mixtures more fairly than would be possible with a hot plate alone, as the complete exterior of the reaction flask is heated. Normally, silicone oil is utilized in present-day Scientific Instruments like oil baths although phosphoric acid, mineral oil, and cottonseed oil have been utilized in history.
HAZARDS
Overheating of oil bath do result in a fire hazard, especially if mineral oil is being utilized. Generally, the maximum safe working temperature of a mineral oil bath is round about 160 °C, the oil’s flashpoint. Mineral oil can’t be utilized above 310 °C in any scenario, due to the compound’s boiling point. If higher temperatures are required, a sand bath or silicone oil may be utilized instead.
• Hazards connected with the utilization of oil baths include fire and hot temperatures.
• Hot oil does cause serious skin burns.
• Accidental additions of water to a hot oil bath do cause severe sputtering.
• Mineral oil has an unpleasant smell at elevated temperatures.
• Reaction flasks submerged in an oil bath can become threatening slippery.
• Whenever feasible, research workers are inspired to substitute oil baths with a safer substitute such as a heating mantle or a sand bath for solvent distillation/ reflux.
Purpose and Applicability
This research safety guidance explains the physical hazards connected with the utilization of oil baths in research laboratories and measures to take to lessen burns from hot oil/water combinations.
PREVENTION
1. Do reserve the oil bath away from heat sources, including hot plates. When not in utilization, keep the oil bath wrapped up with a metal cover or cover the bath vessel with aluminum foil, and do store it at room temperature.
2. Before storing, label the bath with the contents of the oil (fluid name) including the safe working temperature range of the fluid.
3. Do not store used oil, as well as oil, unload from the vacuum pump, in some open vessel including Biohazard containers or plastic buckets or rectangular sharps.
Medical Attention and Emergency Treatment
Use chilled water and straight away the affected skin immediately for at least for few minutes; eliminate any hot oil residue without rubbing the skin. If the affected zone is on the hand, wrap up with a fresh bandage to prevent further injury and irritation. Avoid breaking blisters and DO NOT apply any ointments. Seek medical attention as required.
Waste Disposal
1. Do not blend the oil with other laboratory-originated hazardous waste.
2. Do collect the used oil, as well as vacuum pump oil, in a plastic or glass container for disposal.
3. Do Label the vessel as “USED OIL”. Used oil labels are accessible upon request from EHS.
4. Keep the vessel closed except when adding oil.
5. Throw away used oil through EHS by a finish of the online dangerous waste pickup form.