Benzyl Alcohol (non boaty) - is it flammable?

[dickh]

Just got a 45 gallon drum which had contained benzyl alcahol. I want to chisel out or grind off the top to converty it into an incinerator, I thought I would ask the learned members of this forum wether it's inflammable. I've already tipped out a couple of litres but there is still a small amount left inside.
So - is it safe to cut the top off?

 

[VicS]

Flammable in as much that it will burn, yes but not classed as highly flammable.

All the details

 

[savageseadog]

I wouldn't without taking some precautions. Fill with water and do it. Alcohols are miscable with water so washing it out might do but I would advise going belt and braces with the first option.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Alcohols are miscable with water

[/ QUOTE ] A rather sweeping statement! The lower aliphatic alcohols (methanol, ethanol and the propanols)may be completely miscible with water but benzyl alcohol has only a limited solubility in water. I have not found a figure other than a rather broad statement that 1 part is soluble in 25 parts of water.

however a really good wash with water should get rid of it.

I dont know who is supplying barrels that have contained benzyl alcohol. They should have been disposed of as hazardous waste.

 

[dickh]

Thanks everyone - I'll wash out and fill with water before cutting the top off. I'll pass on the message that it should be treated as hazardous waste.........!