Thermal Stability of Materials During Storage and Transport

摘要

Preventing thermal decomposition of raw materials, intermediates and final products is a prerequisite for any chemical process. Self-heating, due to slow thermal degradation during long term storage or transportation of bulk materials, represents a hazard, which is often underestimated. Over longer periods of time, even very small reaction rates may thermally self-accelerate to runaway situations. Secondary events of high severity may be induced by a resulting thermal explosion, which may lead into a detonation and/or spreading of toxic or flammable materials. A strategic assessment procedure is required such that the thermal limits of all materials are known and can be safely controlled during storage and transport. Examples that characterize decomposition reactions are presented.