Accelerating-rate calorimeter

Figure Bl.27.12. Schematic diagram of an accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC).

In a testing context, it refers to the first detection of exothermic-activity on the thermogram. The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) has a scan rate of I0°C/min, whereas the accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) has a sensitivity of 0.02°C/min. Consequently, the temperature at which thermal activity is detected by the DSC can be as much as 50°C different from ARC data. 

Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC) The ARC can provide extremely useful and valuable data. This equipment determines the self-heating rate of a chemical under near-adiabatic conditions. It usu-aUy gives a conservative estimate of the conditions for and consequences of a runaway reaction. Pressure and rate data from the ARC may sometimes be used for pressure vessel emergency relief design. Activation energy, heat of reaction, and approximate reaction order can usually be determined. For multiphase reactions, agitation can be provided. 

Application of a Modified Accelerating Rate Calorimeter to Decomposition Kinetic Studies... 

Accelerating rate calorimeters (ARC) are customarily used to determine the overall reactivity of compounds. One limitation of these instruments is that pressure data at pre-exotherm temperatures are not recorded. However, such information may be important for the analysis of reactive systems in which pressure events are observed prior to the exotherm. An ARC has been modified so that pressure data can be acquired and stored for kinetic analysis by interfacing with a personal computer. Results are presented using this technique for the study of the decomposition chemistry of 4,4 -diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (MDI). 

Several commercial calorimeters are available to characterize runaway reactions. These include the accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC), the reactive system screening tool (RSST), the automatic pressure-tracking adiabatic calorimeter (APTAC), and the vent sizing package (VSP). Each calorimeter has a different sample size, container design, data acquisition hardware, and data sensitivity. 

D. I. Townsend and J. C. Tou, Thermal Hazard Evaluation by an Accelerating Rate Calorimeter, Thermochimica Acta (1980), 37 1-30. 

ARC = Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (Columbia Scientific Instrument Corp.) DSC = Differential Scanning Calorimeter DTA = Differential Thermal Analysis RC1 = Reactor Calorimeter (Mettler-Toledo Inc.) RSST = Reactive System Screening Tool (Fauske and Associates) VSP = Vent Size Package (Fauske and Associates) ... 

These tests can also be used to evaluate the induction time for the start of an exothermic decomposition, and the compatibility with metals, additives, and contaminants. The initial part of the runaway behavior can also be investigated by Dewar tests and adiabatic storage tests. To record the complete runaway behavior and often the adibatic temperature rise, that is, the consequences of a runaway, the accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) can be used, although it is a smaller scale test. 

FIGURE 2.24. Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC). (Note Not to scale.)... 

De Haven [127] gives an overview of the results of accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) experiments. The ARC was described in Section 2.3.2.3. As mentioned in the previous description, care must be taken in scale-up of results from experiments with relatively high phi-factors. For direct simulation of plant operating conditions, a phi-factor of 1.0 to 1.05 is required. As stated in [127], a decrease in the phi-factor from 2.0 to 1.0 increases the adiabatic temperature rise by a factor of 2, but the maximum self-heat rate increases by a factor of 20. Later in Chapter 3 (Section 3.3.4.6), an example of scale-up of ARC results is given. 

Townsend, D.I. and Tou, J.C. (1989) Thermal hazard evaluation by an accelerating rate calorimeter. Thermochim Acta 37 1-30. 

ARC Accelerating Rate Calorimeter Accelerating Rate Calorimetry... 

The Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC ) is another adiabatic test instrument that can be used to test small samples. The ARC with the clamshell containment design can handle explosive compounds. It is a sensitive instrument that can indicate the onset of exothermicity where the reaction mixture can be accurately simulated (HSE 2000). ARC testing results can be used in determining a time to maximum rate of decomposition, as well as in calculating a temperature of no return for a container or vessel with specific heat removal characteristics. Further information and references related to the ARC are given in CCPS (1995a) and Urben (1999). 

Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level (UNEP) Accelerating rate calorimeter (Arthur D. Little, Inc.)... 

In this context, the term adiabatic refers to calorimetry conducted under conditions that minimize heat losses to the surrounding environment to better simulate conditions in the plant, where bulk quantities of stored or processed material tend to minimize cooling effects. This class of calorimetry includes the accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC), from Arthur D. Little, Inc., and PHI-TEC from Hazard Evaluation Laboratory Ltd. 

The experimental techniques described above of charge—discharge and impedance are nondestructive. Tear-down analysis or disassembly of spent cells and an examination of the various components using experimental techniques such as Raman microscopy, atomic force microscopy, NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, XAS, and the like can be carried out on materials-spent battery electrodes to better understand the phenomena that lead to degradation during use. These techniques provide diagnostic techniques that identify materials properties and materials interactions that limit lifetime, performance, and thermal stabiity. The accelerated rate calorimeter finds use in identifying safety-related situations that lead to thermal runaway and destruction of the battery. 

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