Pyrophoric Gases, Liquids and Solid Safety and Emergency Response

The most widely used pyrophoric gas is silane. While it is very pyrophoric it can be released without immediate ignition. This has caused 18 fatalities in the last 30 years as well as numerous fires. Silane is one of the few gases that can have an open air detonation. The 2012 testing demonstrated that an open air release through a 1/2 tube can cause a fatal accident at a distance of 12 ft. This presentation will review the cause of these incidents as well as review the many studies that have been conducted since the 1970's. Disilane which is also pyrophoric is finding increasing use. The 9 months of research conducted in 2021 will be presented. Monochlorosilane, trisilane and tetrasilane are also finding increasing use.