You are on page 1of 4

Hexamine (Hexamethylenetetramine)

Hexamine is an organic, heterocyclic chemical compound. Heterocyclic organic compounds are composed of at least one atom of carbon bound to at least one other element, such as oxygen or sulfur. The atoms are arranged in a ring structure. Hexamine goes by several other names, including methenamine, urotropine, and hexamethylenetetramine. Among other applications, hexamine is used as an antibiotic. The reaction of formaldehyde and ammonia yields the crystalline hexamine. Its molecular formula is C6H124. Particles of hexamine tend to range in size from 80 to 800 micrometers; a strand of human hair is about 100 micrometers wide. It is soluble in water and in most organic substances, and it has a cage-like structure.

Medical uses
Medical professionals use hexamine as an antibiotic to treat urinary tract infections. The specific medication used is called methenamine hippurate. It is also used for the suppression of bacteruria in patients who have neurological diseases. In acidic urine, methenamine hydrolyzes into ammonia and formaldehyde, a nonspecific antibiotic. As this reaction is activated by acid in the urine, methenamine is often ineffective as an antibiotic in those whose urine is not acidic.
As the mandelic acid salt (generic methenamine mandelate tablets, USP it is used for the treatment of urinary tract infection: hexamethyltetramine ("methenamine") decomposes at an acid pH to formaldehyde and ammonia, and the formaldehyde is bactericidal; the mandelic acid adds to this effect. Urinary acidity is typically ensured by co-administering vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or ammonium chloride. Its use had temporarily been reduced in the late 1990s, due to adverse effects (notably chemically-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in overdose. but its use has now been reapproved because of the prevalence of antibiotic resistance to more commonly used drugs. This drug is particularly suitable for long-term prophylactic treatment of urinary tract infection, because bacteria do not develop resistance to formaldehyde: however, it should not be used in the presence of renal insufficiency.

Hexamine fuel tablet


A hexamine fuel tablet is a form of solid fuel in tablet form. The tablets burn smokelessly, have a high energy density, do not liquify while burning and leave no ashes. Invented in Murrhardt, Germany, in 1936, the main component is hexamine, which was discovered by Aleksandr Butlerov in 1859. Some fuel tablets use1,3,5-trioxane as another ingredient. A number of alternative names are in use, including heat tablet and Esbit. Esbit (which stands for Erich Schumms Brennstoff in Tablettenform or Erich Schumm's Fuel in Tablets) is a genericized trademark as it is used to refer to similar products made by other companies.

Uses
The tablets are used for cooking by campers, the military and relief organizations. They are often used with disposable metal stoves that are included with field rationpacks. Backpackers concerned with ultra light gear tend to buy or make their own much lighter stove. An Esbit beverage-can stove can be made by cutting off the bottom of an aluminum soft drink can, and turning it upside down to support the fuel tablet. A pot can be supported above this with a circle of chicken wire or metal tent pegs. The burning tablets are sensitive to wind, so a simple windscreen should be used, such as a strip of aluminum foil curved in a circle around the pot and stove. If necessary, the fuel tablet can be placed on a rock or on the dirt, with a pot supported above it by rocks, but this is less than ideal. Another common use is to provide a relatively safe (see disadvantages below) heat source for model steam engines, such as those manufactured by Wilesco andMamod, and other external combustion engines such as Stirling engines and pop pop boats.

Advantages and disadvantages

Sample of Esbit still usable after decades of storage

Hexamine is prepared by the reaction of formaldehyde and ammonia. In an acid environment hexamine is converted to formaldehyde, which is toxic.
Fuel tablets are simple, ultra-lightweight compared to other stove options, and compact; the entire stove system and fuel can be stored inside a small 850ml cooking pot. As with trioxane, hexamine has an almost infinite shelf life if stored properly. However, the heat given off cannot be easily adjusted, so water can be boiled, but cooking requiring simmering is more difficult. Tablets are not a particularly powerful stove fuel, and are sensitive to wind and

dampness. They are expensive and are not as widely available compared to alternatives such as alcohol or petrol.

Esbit's Material Safety Data Sheet states combustion can create formaldehyde, ammonia, nitrogen oxide, hydrogen cyanide and ingestion may cause nausea,vomiting, gastrointestinal disturbances, and kidney damage. [1] When burned, the chemical oxidation of the fuel yields noxious fumes, requiring foods being cooked to be contained in a receptacle such as a pot or pan, and burned tablets will leave a sticky dark residue on the bottom of pots. If they are stored or used under damp conditions then they can break up while burning and shed burning fragments.

Hazards Identification:

Irritating to the skin and eyes on contact. Inhalation will cause irritation to the lungs and mucus membrane. Irritation to the eyes will cause watering and redness. Reddening, scaling, and itching are characteristics of skin inflammation. Follow safe industrial hygiene practices and always wear protective equipment when handling this compound. Chronic Health Effects: Prolonged skin contact may produce a rash to affected area(in particular the wrist, ankles, beltline, and collar area of the neck) similar in appearance to poison ivy. Hexamine may decompose to formaldehyde in the presence of perspiration (slighly acidic pH 4-6.5). The formaldehyde is trapped in the sweat pores of the skin and then oxidized to formic acid, which is believed to be the actual agent responsible for the skin rash. (WARNING: Formaldehyde
Acute Health Effects:

may be a potential cancer hazard).

Hexamine could decompose to formaldehyde, which is a listed potential carcinogen.


Acute Health Effects:

Hexamine Tablets
Introduction The Solid fuel (Hexamine) Cooker is a new green environmental fuel set, its mainly use in army, military training. Border forces with bad condition, as well as outdoor, seeking survival, going out for camping. Material 1. The Hexamine Cooker is formed from tin and coated with high temperature resist lacquer to a matt finish. Thus providing protection from rust. 2. The tin plate thickness is 0.4 mm. NW per piece: 140 grams (105 grams without the top stand) Packaging 1. A 3.5 grams sleeve waxed paper bag each piece. 2. Each cooker holds 8 x 28g hexamine tablets in a waxed box. 3.48 units per outer, 400 x 260 x 210 mm, NW/GW 16.5/17.5 kgs Usage Instructions 1. The cooker should be placed on a level, non-flammable, surface, serrated edge upwards. 2. Place one fuel tablet on the cooker base and ignite.

3. To extinguish, tip the tablet off the stand and cover to exclude air. 4. Provide over 10 minutes of burning time per tablet.

You might also like