ABSTRACT
Methylene dichloride, the most important of the chloromethanes, is produced by the chlorination of methane-methyl chloride in the gaseous phase. Chloromethanes can be produced by the oxychlorination of methane - the Transcat process. A mixture of methane, methyl chloride and chlorine are introduced into a nickel loop reactor. The major outlet for methylene dichloride, accounting for almost half of total demand, is as a solvent degreaser and paint remover. Methylene dichloride is a suspected carcinogen. Personnel working with methylene dichloride should receive annual medical checks. Methylene dichloride is stable at room temperature but care must be taken to avoid exposure to heat as its high vapour pressure can cause containers to rupture. Methylene chloride is not flammable under normal storage conditions, but it can form inflammable mixtures with air at 100°C Fires can be extinguished with carbon dioxide, foam or dry chemicals.
