TP he recent failure of an aluminum cylinder containing ethyl chloride, a flammable gas, would seem to have little impact on the rules for assigning proper shipping names to mixtures of two or more dangerous goods until one considers some of the ircumstances. The aluminum cylinder failed in Dubai 14 days after it had been filled in the UK. This container was shipped by air mode and failed in a cargo handling facility at Dubai. While the investigation is still ongoing, there is clear evidence that the cylinder failed from within - suggesting incompatibility. The ethyl chloride contained trace amounts of 1,1.1 trichloroethane, and trichloroethylene under a pressure of 20 bar (290 psi) of helium. Based on these constituents, the shipper reasoned that the shipping name UN 1037, Ethyl Chloride, would be inappropriate and instead used UN 3161, Liquefied Flammable, NOS. An important difference in the packaging requirements is that the regulations do not permit substances consigned under UN 1037, Ethyl Chloride, to be transported in aluminum cylinders while an explicit prohibition does not exist for UN 3161. Of course, as with all dangerous goods, the shipper had the obligation of ensuring compatibility between the materials of construction of the containment vessel and the lading irrespective of whether the regulations identify any specific material incompatibilities.
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