Explosion reactor vessel runaway

On April 8,1998, at 20 18, an explosion and fire occurred during the production of Automate Yellow 96 Dye at Morton International, Inc. Yellow 96 dye was produced by mixing and reacting two chemicals, ortho-nitrochlorobenzene (o-NCB) and 2-ethylhexylamine (2-EHA). The explosion and fire were the consequence of a runaway reaction, which overpressurized a 2000-gal capacity chemical reactor vessel and released flammable material that ignited. Nine employees were injured, including two seriously, and potentially hazardous materials were released into... 

The investigation team found that the reaction accelerated beyond the heat-removal capacity of the reactor. The resulting high temperature led to a secondary runaway decomposition reaction, causing an explosion that blew the hatch off the reactor and allowed the release of the contents from the vessel. 

The pressure vessel test is used to examine the violence of thermal explosions. The test indicates whether a runaway reaction occurs when reactive chemicals in the vessel are heated by a fire or exposure to high temperature, or if the temperature of chemicals in the reactor rises abnormally. This test needs attention because the expulsion of chemicals from inside the vessel may mix with air and cause a mist explosion. 

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