Why You May Have A Flammable Liquid Hazard Lurking

Flammable liquids are essential in many industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. However, having these substances onsite comes with significant risks that may not always be immediately obvious. 

Beyond the threat of fire, flammable liquids can pose other hidden dangers to your facility, employees and the environment. Ignoring these hazards or failing to address them promptly could result in costly consequences, including regulatory fines, accidents and damage to your reputation. 

As the generator of hazardous waste, you are responsible for it from the moment it is created until it is properly disposed of - a concept known as cradle-to-grave responsibility. This is why it’s crucial to consider the entire lifecycle of flammable liquids when evaluating the risks they pose.

Recognizing these risks is the first step toward ensuring safety and compliance.

Hidden Hazards Of Flammable Liquids

While the fire risk associated with flammable liquids is well-known, there are other hazards lurking that many facility managers might overlook. 

One of the most critical dangers is the potential for vapor buildup. Even small amounts of flammable liquids can release vapors that, when confined in poorly ventilated spaces, create an explosive atmosphere.

Another hidden hazard is chemical instability. Some flammable liquids degrade over time, becoming more dangerous as they age. For instance, old solvents may form peroxides, which are highly explosive and can detonate under the right conditions.

Storage issues also contribute to the risk. Improperly stored flammable liquids can corrode their containers, leading to leaks. These leaks not only pose a fire hazard but can also contaminate soil and groundwater, resulting in environmental liabilities.

The key to mitigating these risks is awareness and proactive management. Regularly inspecting your facility and storage areas can help identify these hazards before they escalate into a full-blown emergency.

Why Timely Disposal Is Critical

Holding onto flammable liquids you no longer need is a ticking time bomb. Not only do unused or outdated substances take up valuable space, but they also increase the likelihood of an incident. Proper disposal is not just a best practice - it’s a necessity for maintaining a safe and compliant operation.

Disposing of flammable liquids can be achieved through several methods. No matter which method you choose, it’s important to work with a certified hazardous waste disposal company to ensure safe removal and destruction of the materials. These companies are equipped to handle the complexities of transporting and disposing of hazardous substances while ensuring compliance with regulations.

Hazardous waste disposal companies can transport solvent waste and other types of flammable liquid waste to the appropriate facilities for disposal. Options for managing your waste include incineration, neutralization and treatment, solidification and stabilization, and in some cases, recycling.

Another highly effective option is solvent distillation, particularly for facilities that frequently use solvents. Solvent distillation units can reclaim usable solvents from waste, reducing the need for new purchases and minimizing hazardous waste output. This process not only saves money but also aligns with sustainability goals.

Regardless of the method you choose, addressing your stockpile of flammable liquids promptly is critical. Delaying disposal increases your exposure to risks, from safety hazards to potential fines for regulatory non-compliance. Taking action today protects your facility and everyone who works in it.

Manage Flammable Liquid Hazards Sustainably

Walk through any industrial facility and you’re likely to find common types of industrial waste like solvents, heavy metals and chemical byproducts. If you’re like many businesses in the United States, you may be looking for ways to boost your company’s sustainable practices while safely managing these hazardous waste types.

One option that you may have available to you is solvent distillation. This process allows your business to recover and reuse solvents rather than disposing of them as hazardous waste. Solvent distillation also saves costs in the long run by minimizing the need to purchase new materials. 

How does solvent distillation work? Through the application of heat, solvent distillation separates the solvents from other substances. By heating a liquid mixture that contains solvents, the solvents vaporize. The vapor is condensed back into a liquid form, leading to the separation and recovery of the solvent.

This sustainable choice is gaining popularity in industry today because when halogenated and non-halogenated solvents are distilled and ultimately recycled, economic resources are saved and the need to purchase virgin raw materials is reduced. This process also reduces your waste generation through a strategic solvent recovery plan.

At Samex, our solvent recycling process minimizes the impact on the environment through the use of highly energy-efficient technology. This ultimately results in a high recovery volume as well. Solvent distillation also reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and enables the recycling and sustainable processing of chemicals when it incorporates the use of energy-efficient technology. 

By taking a proactive approach to managing flammable liquids, you not only protect your facility and employees but also ensure regulatory compliance and contribute to a more sustainable future.