Evaluation of protective clothing materials challenged by petroleum and synfuel fluids

The permeation characteristics of eleven petroleum, coal, and shale oil hydrocarbon liquids through eight different types of glove were measured over 24 h. Two analytical techniques, photoionization and room-temperature phosphorescence of polynuclear aromatic compounds, were used to measure breakthrough times by volatile and low-volatility constituents, respectively. The lighter, smaller molecular-size constituents permeated faster than the larger, multi-ringed aromatic constituents. For the light hydrocarbon fuels, especially gasoline, there was preferential permeation by benzene and toluene. Nitrile was severely corroded after extended exposure to hydroxybenzene-containing coal-derived liquids.

Duke Scholars

Author Tuan Vo-Dinh Biomedical Engineering