Burning nitrobenzene

NO₂

Nitrobenzene (NB) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6 Hs NO2.

It is produced on a large scale from benzene as a precursor to aniline.

Nitrobenzene is highly toxic (Threshold Limit Value 5 mg/m³) and readily

absorbed through the skin.

A tank contains 3076.5 kg of residual NB, which must be destroyed by

incineration, thus converted into harmless compounds (CO2, H₂ O, NO2).

However, a malfunction of the burner, because the excess air did not reach the

set point (150%), resulted into incomplete combustion and formation of

undesired side products (CO).

Once the incident analyzed, we were aware that the actual excess air was only

20%. Then, the conversion was only 90%. In addition, the ratio between CO₂

and CO was 4 to 1 (total combustion against partial combustion)./nTotal:

Partial:

C6 Hs NO2 + 29/4 02

C6 Hs NO2 + 17/4 02

→ 6CO₂ + NO2 + 5/2H₂O

6 CO + NO2 + 5/2 H₂O

Taking into account the given TLV, did the flue gas emitted put in danger

people?

Note: we assume that the end product for nitrogen is NO2