Auto-Ignition Temperature Data for Selected Ketones

Abstract

Auto-ignition temperature (AIT) is usually defined as the lowest temperature at which a substance will produce hot-flame ignition in air at atmospheric pressure without the aid of an external energy source such as spark or flame. Its principal applications include: defining the maximum acceptable surface temperature in a particular area, usually for electrical classification purpose, to prevent fire and explosion hazards; determining the possible hazardous consequence associated with leakage of flammable chemicals in risk assessment methods. Although AIT is indispensable for safely handling and operating flammable substance, the AITs data are, however, very much diverse in different data compilations. In present work the AITs of three ketones are measured in compliance with the ASTM E659 test method. The measured AITs are (461.7 ± 9.2) °C, (397.8 ± 8.0) °C and (399.0 ± 8.0) °C for Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Methyl Isoamyl Ketone and 2-Heptanone, respectively. It is found that the AIT compiled in DIPPR 2009 is beyond the experimental reproducibility in Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Methyl Isoamyl Ketone, and the difference is found to be of 54 °C and 207 °C and 6 °C for Methyl Ethyl Ketone Methyl and Isoamyl Ketone, respectively. The AIT reported in The Chemical Database also deviates from that obtained in present work with certain degree, and the difference is found to be of 54 °C, 57 °C and 133 °C for Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Methyl Isoamyl Ketone and 2- Heptanone, respectively.