So let me get this straight, we have a chamber with what looks like and atomizer that takes Isopropyl alcohol and creates a mist. Cool idea but… Alcohol Mist? Is this something one should be operating anywhere in a shirtsleeve environment? I’ve always taken precautions when using any kind of combustible vapor but to create a fine mist? There doesn’t appear to be any safety standards.
Heat source? What about spark? What’s more, their ad touts the colorful LED light show which means there’s active electronics elsewhere in the design that have nothing to do with the nebulizer.
I’m with you but I totally lack knowledge to confirm or debunk any problem. For quite some time I just couldn’t believe people all over the world are spraying IPA right onto 120°C heatbeds, near a nozzle that is still potentially even hotter. Apparently that isn’t a problem - I mean, you sure would have heard about it by now otherwise. Perhaps this too is somehow completely safe?
Oh there’s no way I’d trust that in my house while operating. Vaporized IPA would just need a tiny spark to set off. All I can think of is the water jug experiment they do in schools where they light IPA vapor.
According to their manual and safety instructions it should be fine as long as you’re using IPA.
I personally do not believe that an explosive mixture can develop. IPA requires around 2-13 vol% at standard pressure and 20°C. Anything outside this range (too little IPA or too rich a mixture with oxygen) does absolutely nothing. So too little IPA does not go boom within that container, to much IPA does not either.
I am not a chemist, but I am of the opinion that this device should not cause any problems if used as intended in accordance with the manufacturer’s safety instructions (well ventilated room, no smoking, no open flames, keeping device vents clear, etc.).
But we should all realise that this thing doesn’t belong in a child’s bedroom.
As mentioned in my other posts I’ve used 99%IPA for cleaning for both industrial and personal 3D printers without incident for many years.**
*-------------------------- Note auto-ignition temperature point--------
IDENTIFICATION
ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
SYNONYMS: ISOPROPANOL, IPA
CAS - NO: 67-63-0
EINECS NO: 200-661-7
**U.S. OSHA Standards are as follows: (For 100% IPA)
******Flammability of the Product: Flammable.
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 399°C (750.2°F)
Flammable Limits: LOWER: 2% UPPER: 12.7%
Products of Combustion: These products are carbon oxides (CO, CO2).
Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances:
Highly flammable in presence of open flames and sparks, of heat. Flammable in presence of oxidizing materials. Non- flammable in presence of shocks
**I don’t exceed 399C (Flash-Point of 100%IPA) in my chamber or anywhere on the printer and I have no open flames around or even near the printer. The door is open when I wipe the build-plate and is not enclosed during use allowing for venting. If you use a hobby torch or any open flame, it would be prudent not to use it near your storage of IPA or freshly wiped printer.
100%IPA meets all industrial safety standards for use as a cleaning solvent provided other OSHA safety standards are met, like fire prevention equipment etc, which isn’t applicable to our subject but I have a fire extinguisher in many rooms of my house including the printer room.
-_- That being said there is always a possibility of a spark in the wiring or some unknown electrical short but that is rare and there are always exceptions. For humor I’ll add, “Getting out of bed in the morning is a risk!”
