Hazard identification exothermic reactions

In DSC instruments, heat production (q) can be determined directly as a function of temperature. The shape of the heat production curve is also important for hazard identification. A sharp rise in energy release rate (i.e., a steep slope of the exotherm), whether due to a rapid increase of the rate constant with temperature or to a large enthalpy of reaction, indicates that the substance or reaction mixture may be hazardous. Figure 2.14 illustrates an example of a DSC curve with a gradual exothermic reaction, while Figure 2.15 is an example of a steep exothermic rise. 

The CSB investigation determined that BP Amoco was unaware of the hazardous reaction chemistry of the polymer because of inadequate hazard identification during process development. This lack of awareness is a commonly cited cause of reactive incidents within the CSB data. The BP Amoco incident also involved an endothermic (or heat consuming) reaction rather than the more commonly recognized exothermic (or heat producing) runaway chemical reaction. 

Identification of main hazards arising in certain chemical processes from high/low pressure high/low temperature use of toxic, corrosive, flammable or explosive chemicals exothermic reactions ... 

Safety. When transferring processes from the laboratory to the pilot plant, it is important to identify and address potential safety issues as early as possible in the transfer process. Typically, calorimetry studies and process hazard reviews are carried out to meet this requirement. Calorimetry experiments can assist in the identification and quantification of reaction exotherms associated with the process. This information can then be used to determine the capability of the pilot equipment to control the reaction. 

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