Burning nitrobenzene NO₂ Nitrobenzene (NB) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6 Hs NO2. It is produced on a large scale from benzene as a precursor to aniline. Nitrobenzene

is highly toxic (Threshold Limit Value 5 mg/m³) and readily absorbed through the skin. A tank contains 3076.5 kg of residual NB, which must be destroyed by incineration, thus converted into harmless compounds (CO2, H₂ O, NO2). However, a malfunction of the burner, because the excess air did not reach the set point (150%), resulted into incomplete combustion and formation of undesired side products (CO). Once the incident analyzed, we were aware that the actual excess air was only 20%. Then, the conversion was only 90%. In addition, the ratio between CO₂ and CO was 4 to 1 (total combustion against partial combustion)./nTotal: Partial: C6 Hs NO2 + 29/4 02 C6 Hs NO2 + 17/4 02 → 6CO₂ + NO2 + 5/2H₂O 6 CO + NO2 + 5/2 H₂O Taking into account the given TLV, did the flue gas emitted put in danger people? Note: we assume that the end product for nitrogen is NO2