The storage of the chemicals is essential for health and safety. As Balla et al. (2021) state, “Chemical storage is important if mixing these chemicals purposely or as a result of a spill can result in heat, fire, explosion, and/or toxic gases” (p. 169). Therefore, analyzing the list of chemicals, it becomes apparent that they should not be stored together.
Starting the analysis of the chemicals list, the first interesting thing is their diversity, which can lead to their incompatibility. First, being a corrosive organic acid, acetic acid should not be stored with oxidizers like nitric acid, calcium hypochlorite, and ammonium nitrate. It is also incompatible with hydroxyl-containing compounds or bases like sodium hydroxide solution, and flammable liquids, all of which are contained in the list. The same can be applied to acetone being a flammable liquid, it also should be separated from bases and oxidizers, but also acids like acetic acid in a separate cabinet or refrigerator. Acetylene, on the other hand, is a flammable gas, but it also needs to be separated from the above-mentioned oxidizers. As an explosive, ammonium nitrate should be stored away from all chemicals. Activated carbon should also be separated from oxidizers, acids, and bases and kept in a dry and cool area. Thus far, no chemicals can be stored together.
Moreover, the first assumption persists as the list is nearing its end. As mentioned before, various flammable liquids cannot be stored with any other chemical in a flammable storage cabinet or refrigerator, also keeping track of their delivery and opening dates. Hydrocarbons in the form of lubricating oil should be kept away from oxygen, which should be segregated from other possible contaminants, including flammable gases like acetylene and liquids like acetone. Calcium hypochlorite needs a secondary container to be put away from any contact with flammables and combustibles mentioned before. Thus far, nitric acid and sodium hydroxide solution are also not compatible with any chemicals on the list except oxygen. However, nitric acid, as corrosive inorganic acid, should be put in the secondary container, while sodium hydroxide should have a separate cabinet. Oxygen should be away from any combustible and flammable chemicals. The assumption proves to be true and the chemicals on this list are better to be separated to prevent any possible health and safety risks as per their chemical compatibility.
References
Balla, N., Kumar, H., & Mishra, V. P. (2021). Health and Safety Protocols in Chemistry laboratory and its Precursors Disposal with Chemical Incompatibility. 2021 International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Knowledge Economy (ICCIKE), Computational Intelligence and Knowledge Economy (ICCIKE), 2021 International Conference On, 166–169.