Simulation Assessment of Dangerous Consequence Caused by Toxic Gas Products during KCN Decontamination Process

Abstract

Chlorine-based or per-oxygen-based decontaminants could be used for destruction of cyanide ion in the emergency management of leakage. During destruction, poisonous gases like ClCN and HCN were often produced. It may lead to serious damage for personal safety and quality of environment. In this study, the amount of gaseous products of ClCN and HCN during destruction of KCN by hypochlorite solutions and peroxyl acid were first measured. And quantitative risks assessments correspond to different damage criterions were established. Results showed that toxic HCN gas would form once KCN aqueous exposed to atmosphere. And different decontaminants would result in different hazardous gasses. Chlorine-based decontaminants reacted with KCN would cause toxic gas of ClCN, and it lead to relatively larger depth of damage. It would cause medial lethal depth of damage under certain conditions, such as higher concentration of decontaminant, lower flow speed, higher temperature and large volume of KCN being destructed. For per-oxygen-based decontaminants, toxic HCN gas produced would cause relatively smaller depth of damage.