Selection of the Proper Calorimetric Test Strategy in Reactive Chemicals Hazard Evaluation

The job of a reactive chemicals testing subject matter expert (a so-called SME) is to effectively and accurately evaluate a chemical process for known or potential reactive chemical hazards such as thermal stability, runaway potential, and flammability−dust explosion hazards. This evaluation allows designers to ensure the process operates within a safe operating envelope, with minimum risk of a “significant” reactive chemicals event/incident. This paper will explore the decision making process for developing a successful testing strategy based on scale (i.e., the size of the process) and energy release potential. Examples will be given which demonstrate the application of this strategy to modern chemical production. We will focus on the decision process with regard to thermal hazards which in turn primarily use calorimetric test methods. The main calorimetric methods discussed are differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC), heat of mix calorimetry (HOM), and reaction calorimetry.