using glycol container?

[dan223]

I have access to 55g drums that held ethylene and some propylene glycol. I wondering how water soluble it is as far as should it rinse out easily? and second if there is a very minute trace left behind would it matter? Ive thrown a bunch of these away and hoping they could be used for RO water and possibly a rain barrel.

[bertoni]

I would rinse the propylene glycol containers well. After that, they should be fine.

I don't know about the ethylene. I'll have to look more.

Edited...

[HighlandReefer]

PRODUCT NAME: ETHYLENE
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
http://www.vngas.com/pdf/g33.pdf

From it:

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
Explodes spontaneously when mixed with chlorine in sunlight.

Solubility (H20) : Negligible

13. Disposal Considerations
Do not attempt to dispose of residual waste or unused quantities. Return in the shipping container PROPERLY
LABELED, WITH ANY VALVE OUTLET PLUGS OR CAPS SECURED AND VALVE PROTECTION CAP
IN PLACE to BOC Gases or authorized distributor for proper disposal.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Propylene glycol MSDS
http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Propylene_glycol-9927239

From it:

Solubility: Soluble in cold water, hot water, acetone.

[bertoni]

I think he meant ethylene glycol. I think a good rinse likely is enough there, although I might wipe down the container with some vinegar, too.

[HighlandReefer]

ETHYLENE GLYCOL MSDS:
http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/E5125.htm


From it:

9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance:
Clear oily liquid.
Odor:
Odorless.
Solubility:
Miscible in water.
Specific Gravity:
1.1 @20C/4C
pH:
No information found.
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
100
Boiling Point:
197.6C (388F)
Melting Point:
-13C (9F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
2.14
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
0.06 @ 20C (68F)
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide may form when heated to decomposition. May produce acrid smoke and irritating fumes when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Strong oxidizing agents. Reacts violently with chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid. Causes ignition at room temperature with chromium trioxide, potassium permanganate and sodium peroxide; causes ignition at 212F(100C) with ammonium dichromate, silver chlorate, sodium chloride and uranyl nitrate.
Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, flames, ignition sources, water (absorbs readily) and incompatibles.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. Toxicological Information
Toxicological Data:
Oral rat LD50: 4700 mg/kg; skin rabbit LD50: 9530 mg/kg.
Irritation - skin rabbit: 555 mg(open), mild; eye rabbit: 500mg/24H, mild.
Investigated as a tumorigen, mutagen, reproductive effector.
Reproductive Toxicity:
Has shown teratogenic effects in laboratory animals.

--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Ethylene Glycol (107-21-1) No No None


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate:
When released into the soil, this material is expected to readily biodegrade. When released into the soil, this material is expected to leach into groundwater. When released into the soil, this material is not expected to evaporate significantly. When released into water, this material is expected to readily biodegrade. When released into the water, this material is expected to have a half-life between 1 and 10 days. This material is not expected to significantly bioaccumulate. This material has a log octanol-water partition coefficient of less than 3.0. When released into water, this material is not expected to evaporate significantly. When released into the air, this material is expected to be readily degraded by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals. When released into the air, this material is expected to have a half-life between 1 and 10 days.

Environmental Toxicity:
The LC50/96-hour values for fish are over 100 mg/l.