Incorporation of Reaction Chemicals Testing Data in Reactivity Hazard Evaluation

摘要

Evaluation of reactivity hazards often involves interpretation of reactive chemicals test data from techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC), Reactive System Screening Tool (RSST), or Vent Sizing Package (VSP). Endothermic reactions represent a potential hazard if gaseous or highly volatile products are generated. Exothermic reactions have the potential for a runaway reaction leading to a dramatic increase in temperature, pressure (if the reaction is contained) and reaction rate. Incorporation of pressure and pressure rate data (in addition to temperature rate data) provides key information to better understand the potential for runaway reaction and/or gas evolution. Simple models may be used to better estimate temperature of no return, time to maximum rate, heat and gas evolution rate at relief device set pressure, or similar hazard screening criteria. In some cases, autocatalysis or an overall mechanism involving consecutive reactions may be distinguished from simple Arrhenius kinetics where pressure rate and temperature rate does not appropriately match. Screening for potential autocatalytic behavior may help identify runaway reactions, which may occur at lower temperature than expected