Case studies of incidents in runaway reactions and emergency relief

Abstract

Case histories Of 65 incidents in runaway reactions and emelgency relief in Taiwan were analyzed and classified into several categories according to their causes, materials involved, equipment types, reaction types, and ignition sources. The cases in reactors and storage tanks were examined in more detail owing to the higherprob ability or lalgerpotential hazard in these two types of equipments. The most common consequence of the incidents are explosions, fires, and atmospheric release of toxic chemicals. The most severe case was a thermal explosion from an organic peroxide storage area which caused the death of 33 persons. Popping and direct releasing of process chemicals to the atmosphere from relieving devices cause the greatest environmental concerns to the community close to the plants. Runaway reactions in batch type reactors occur frequently due to various operational mistakes. Heat of reaction is the most frequent ignition source of runaway reactions and emergency relie$

Thermal decompositions of dialkyl peroxides studied by DSC

“…Fires and explosions were the readily types of incidents which were caused by ill-conditioned handling of organic peroxides. Incidents of fires or explosions caused by thermal decompositions of organic peroxides have been studied in the past two decades [4,5]. Thermal or reactive hazards rating for organic peroxide have been thoroughly discussed in the previous study [5].…”

Kinetics of acid-catalyzed cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide

“…When unanticipated and/or uncontrolled, serious safety incidents can occur threatening loss of life, damage to facilities, and interruption to business. Numerous such incidents have been experienced in industry with cumene hydroperoxide [6,7]. For this reason, it is vital that the behavior of hydroperoxides being handled is understood and that the risks associated with their reactivity are managed.…”

Thermal Hazard Evaluation of Cumene Hydroperoxide-Metal Ion Mixture Using DSC, TAM III, and GC/MS

“…Corrosion results from the surface of metal undergoing a chemical or electrochemical reaction with the substances present in the environment, which leads to the gradual erosion of the metal interior [12,13]. Corrosion releases metallic materials [14,15], and it can be considered to be equivalent to adding a solution of metal ions.…”