Influence of kinetic model approximations in batch reactor safety analysis

摘要

Batch reactors have an important role in the chemical industry, with particular reference to fine and specialty chemicals, pharmaceutical and polymer industries. These reactors are particularly suitable when good control of the end product quality is required and the volume to be processed is relatively small. Under safe conditions, an exothermic reaction in a batch reactor proceeds slowly and smoothly. However, there exists a threshold in the operating conditions space (say, a value of the coolant temperature) beyond which the reaction proceeds very fast, leading to a sharp rise in the reactor temperature. This behavior is usually called "runaway." Building a safe chemical batch reactor and preventing it from undesired or dangerous events requires then a good design associated with an efficient control system. However, any vessel, unless designed to resist to the maximum attainable pressure, should be protected from accidental overpressure with an adequate emergency relief system (ERS).