Beilstein Test Kit

This is the Beilstein Test Kit.

It detects the following halogens

• chlorinated solvents/pesticides
• pcb’s
• chlorinated degreasers
• refrigerant oils
• insulating fluids

Hazmat responders clean a copper wire and heat it in a Bunsen burner flame. Then responders draw sample vapors from a sample into the torch air intake and pyrolyze. If the pyrolysis products contain halogen atoms, they will react with the copper. This will form a copper halide and produce a brilliant blue-green flame. This kit does not include the Propane Tank.

Contents

• Copper Wire tool
• Methanol
• Tubes (40)
• Pipettes (40)
• Epoxy coated test tube rack
• Torch Head
• Torch Head Stand
• Test Tube Clamp
• Complete Set of Instructions

Section II – Hazcat Tests A to Z

Copper Wire Test Instructions

Warning: Perform the Thermal Explosives Test before heating any unknown.

Required Reagents and Hardware

• Methanol RE2325
• Copper Wire HW4017

1. Add 1ml (1/2 inch) of Methanol RE2325 to a test tube.
2. Clean the Copper Wire by heating it in the torch flame until it glows red and there is no visible green flame.
3. Put the hot Copper Wire into the test tube with the Methanol RE2325. If the alcohol in the test tube ignites, blow out the flame.
4. Leave the Copper Wire in the test tube for 5 to 10 seconds to cool.
5. Remove the Copper Wire from the test tube and reheat it. Watch the Copper Wire for any green flame. If there is no visible green flame, continue to step 6. If there is a visible green flame, repeat Steps 1 through 4.
6. Liquid: Add 3 drops of the unknown liquid to a new test tube.
   Solid: Add 1/2 spoonful of the unknown solid to a new test tube.
7. Gently heat the test tube containing the unknown until vapors appear near the top of the test tube or until the unknown evaporites. Very volatile liquids may not require any heating to vaporize in the test tube. If all the unknown vaporizes, there will be sufficient gas in the tube to run the test.
8. Put the Copper Wire back into the torch flame and simultaneously pour the vapors from the test tube into an air intake hole of the torch head. Vapors may not be visible. Tilt the test tube downwards to pour the heavier than air vapors into the air intake. The mouth of the test tube should be douching the torch head at the air intake hole. Place Copper Wire coil at the tip of the inner blue cone of the flame.

Observations

1. Sustained blue or green flame that appears when the copper wire is in the flame: Positive (+) Chlorinated, fluorinated or other halogenated organic are present. Disregard any brief flashes of green. Test is only positive if the green/blue flame is sustained.
2. Any other result: Negative (-) Indicates the absence of halogens, including chlorine.
   1. Green flame that continues when Copper Wire is not in flame: Indicates Boron if the green flame continues when responders remove the Copper Wire from the flame.

Interferences

Acids, nitrates, and many nitrogenated organics can ionize copper, resulting in a false positive. Boron and copper salts can be strong interferences in this test. Barium, manganese, tellurium, molybdenum, and thallium salts also produce green flames of various shades and intensities.

Note

If the unknown is negative in this test, sank in water, and the iodine crystal solution is red or purple, fluorine may still be present. If the unknown dissolved or emulsified in water, had a neutral pH, and the iodine crystal solution is orange, no green flame indicates the absence of halogens.

This kit can be part of the HazCat 2.0 Chemical Identification System. For more information contact us at (805) 617-0987.

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