Chemical Storage Sorter

Organize laboratory chemicals into safe storage groups based on chemical compatibility and hazard classification. Prevents dangerous reactions by identifying incompatible pairs and providing segregation guidelines compliant with OSHA, NFPA, and institutional safety standards.

Key Capabilities:

• Automatic Chemical Classification: Categorize chemicals into hazard groups
• Compatibility Checking: Identify incompatible pairs that could react dangerously
• Storage Grouping: Sort chemical inventories into safe storage arrangements
• Safety Warnings: Generate warnings for incompatible combinations
• Regulatory Compliance: Follow OSHA and NFPA segregation rules

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Input Validation

This skill accepts: a list of chemical names (comma-separated or one per line), or a single chemical name for compatibility checking. Chemical names should be standard IUPAC or common names; CAS numbers are also accepted.

If the request does not involve sorting or checking laboratory chemicals for safe storage — for example, asking to synthesize chemicals, interpret SDS documents, or provide medical advice about chemical exposure — do not proceed. Instead respond:

"Chemical Storage Sorter is designed to classify and sort laboratory chemicals for safe storage. Please provide a list of chemical names. For other chemical safety tasks, use a more appropriate tool."

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Quick Check

python -m py_compile scripts/main.py
python scripts/main.py --help

Workflow

1. Confirm the chemical list, required inputs, and any special constraints (custom classifications, lab-specific rules).
2. Validate that the request matches the documented scope; stop if the task requires unsupported assumptions.
3. Run the script or apply the documented classification path with only the inputs available.
4. Return a structured result separating assumptions, deliverables, risks, and unresolved items.
5. If execution fails or inputs are incomplete, switch to the fallback path and state exactly what blocked full completion.

Fallback: If no chemicals are provided, respond: "No chemical list provided. Please supply chemical names via --chemicals or as a text list. Cannot sort without input chemicals."

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Core Capabilities

1. Chemical Classification

from scripts.main import ChemicalStorageSorter
sorter = ChemicalStorageSorter()
group = sorter.classify_chemical("Hydrochloric acid")  # → "acids"

Group	Examples	Storage Requirements
Acids	HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃	Acid cabinet, secondary containment
Bases	NaOH, KOH, ammonia	Base cabinet, separate from acids
Oxidizers	H₂O₂, KMnO₄, nitrates	Cool, dry, away from organics
Flammables	Ethanol, acetone, hexane	Flammable storage cabinet
Toxics	Cyanides, mercury, arsenic	Locked cabinet, limited access
General	NaCl, PBS, sucrose	Standard storage

2. Compatibility Checking

compatible, message = sorter.check_compatibility("Hydrochloric acid", "Sodium hydroxide")
# → False, "INCOMPATIBLE: acids cannot be stored with bases"

Chemical Group	Incompatible With	Reaction Risk
Acids	Bases, oxidizers, cyanides	Violent neutralization, toxic gas
Oxidizers	Flammables, acids, bases	Fire, explosion
Flammables	Oxidizers, acids	Fire, combustion

3. Storage Plan Generation

groups = sorter.sort_chemicals(inventory)
sorter.print_storage_plan(groups)

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CLI Usage

# Sort list of chemicals
python scripts/main.py --chemicals "HCl,NaOH,ethanol,H2O2"

# Check compatibility between two chemicals
python scripts/main.py --chemicals "HCl" --check "NaOH"

# List all storage groups
python scripts/main.py --list-groups

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Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
--chemicals, -c	string	No	Comma-separated chemical list
--check	string	No	Check compatibility with another chemical
--list-groups, -l	flag	No	List all storage groups

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Output Requirements

Every final response must make these explicit:

• Objective or requested deliverable
• Inputs used (chemical list) and assumptions introduced
• Classification method and any manual overrides applied
• Core result: storage groups with chemicals assigned, incompatibility warnings
• Constraints and risks (tool is first-check only; always verify with SDS)
• Unresolved items and next-step checks

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Error Handling

• If no chemicals are provided, list the required input format and request it.
• If a chemical cannot be classified, assign to "general" and flag for manual review. Suggest: (1) provide the CAS number for lookup, (2) consult the SDS for GHS hazard classification, (3) contact the institutional safety officer.
• If scripts/main.py fails, report the failure point and provide manual classification fallback using the hazard group table above.
• Do not fabricate classifications or compatibility results.

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Common Pitfalls

• Assuming dilute = safe: Even dilute acids/bases need proper storage
• Storing by alphabetical order: Acetic acid next to acetone — always prioritize compatibility
• Inadequate separation: Use physical barriers (cabinets), not just distance
• Outdated storage plans: Update documentation whenever chemicals are relocated
• Ignoring multi-hazard chemicals: Concentrated HNO₃ is both acid and oxidizer — store in most restrictive group; multi-hazard chemicals are automatically assigned to the most restrictive applicable group

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Storage Requirements by Group

Group	Cabinet Type	Special Requirements
Acids	Acid cabinet	Secondary containment, corrosion-resistant
Bases	Base cabinet	Minimum 3 feet from acids
Oxidizers	Standard/oxidizer	Away from ignition sources
Flammables	Flammable cabinet	Bonding/grounding for dispensing
Toxics	Locked cabinet	Access log, limited quantities

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References

• OSHA Chemical Storage Guidelines: https://www.osha.gov/chemical-storage
• NFPA 45: Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals
• Prudent Practices in the Laboratory (National Research Council)