Runaway Evaluation Dicumyl Peroxide in the Batch Reactor by DSC and VSP2

摘要

Dicumyl peroxide (DCPO) is usually employed as an initiator for polymerization, a source of free radicals, a hardener, and a linking agent. In Asia, due to its unstably reactive nature, DCPO has caused many thermal explosions and runaway reaction incidents in the manufacturing process. This study was conducted with a view to elucidate its essentially hazardous characteristics. To analyze runaway behaviors of DCPO in a batch reactor, thermokinetic parameters, such as heat of decomposition (ΔH_d), exothermic onset temperature (To), maximum temperature rise (dT/dt)_(max), maximum pressure rise (dP/dt)_(max), and self-heating rate etc. via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2). Meanwhile, adiabatic thermal runaway phenomena were then thoroughly investigated by VSP2. Thermokinetics of DCPO mixed with acids or bases were determined by DSC and VSP2 comparing with kinetics-based curve fitting of thermal safety software (TSS) serious. Results from curve fitting indicated that all of the above-mentioned acids or bases induced exothermic reactions at even an earlier stage of the experiments. To diminish the degree of hazard, hazard information must be provided to the manufacturing process.