Adiabatic thermokinetics and process safety of pyrotechnic mixtures

Pyrotechnic mixtures are susceptible to explosive decompositions. The aim of this paper is to generate thermal decomposition data under adiabatic conditions for fireworks mixtures containing potassium nitrate, barium nitrate, sulfur, and aluminum which are manufactured on a commercial scale. Differential scanning calorimeter is used for screening tests and accelerating rate calorimeter is used for other studies. The self heat rate data obtained showed onset temperature in the range of 275?C295?°C for the fireworks atom bomb, Chinese cracker and palm leaf cracker. Of the three mixtures studied, atom bomb mixture had an early onset at 275?°C. The mixtures in general showed vigor exothermic decompositions. Palm leaf mixture exhibits multiple exotherm and reached a final temperature of 414?°C. The thermal decomposition contributes to substantial rise in system pressure. The heats of exothermic decomposition and Arrhenius kinetics were computed. The kinetic data are validated by comparing the predicted self heat rates with the experimental data.     

Thermal behavior pattern of tributyl phosphate under adiabatic conditions

Violent decomposition of Tributyl Phosphate (TBP), a widely employed extractant in the Plutonium Uranium Extraction process of nuclear fueling reprocessing plants in the presence of Nitric acid at temperatures in excess of 130 °C is a matter of concern in serious accidents including in the Savannah River (USA) and Tomsk (Russia). The thermal behavior of TBP under adiabatic conditions employing the world’s benchmark adiabatic calorimeter, the Accelerating Rate Calorimeter is examined. TBP shows multiple self heating exothermic activities with the onset of primary exotherm at 250 °C. The exothermic activity is accompanied by considerable pressure rise. The thermal decomposition of TBP is found to follow first order Arrhenius kinetic model. TBP loses about 70% of its chemical moieties as volatile matter during the exothermic decomposition. Spectroscopic methods are used to elucidate the degradation pathway.     

Novel validation on pressure as a determination of onset point for exothermic decomposition of DTBP

Exothermic decomposition of di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) was measured and assessed for determination of onset or threshold point which is essential for hazard evaluation or early detection of runaway reaction. Thermal decomposition of DTBP was conducted by differential scanning calorimeter and thermal scanning unit. Criteria of onset points are determined by and compared by the deflection curve of exothermic behavior (or heat flow), selected pressure, self-heat rate, or pressure-rising rate, respectively. Exothermic onset temperature of DTBP can be determined as low as 73.5 °C by pressure selected at 1.5 bar. Onset point determined by selected pressure is more sensitive and superior to the onset temperature traditionally measured by thermal analysis, adiabatic calorimetry using heat-wait-search methodology or theoretical approaches.     

Utilization of microcalorimetry for an assessment of the potential for a runaway decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide at low temperatures

The exothermic decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) in cumene liquid was characterized by isothermal microcalorimetry, involving the thermal activity monitor (TAM). Unlike the exothermic behaviors previously determined from an adiabatic calorimeter, such as the vent sizing package 2 (VSP2), or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal curves revealed that CHP undergoes an autocatalytic decomposition detectable between 75 and 90°C. Previous studies have shown that the CHP in a temperature range higher than 100°C conformed to an n ^th order reaction rate model. CHP heat of decomposition and autocatalytic kinetics behavior were measured and compared with previous reports, and the methodology and the advantages of using the TAM to obtain an autocatalytic model by curve fitting are reported. With various autocatalytic models, such as the Prout-Tompkins equation and the Avrami-Erofeev rate law, the best curve fit among models was also investigated and proposed.     

Simulation approach to decomposition kinetics and thermal hazards of hexamethylenetetramine

The thermal stability of HMT under dynamic, isothermal and adiabatic conditions was investigated using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC), respectively. It is found from the dynamic DSC results that the exothermic decomposition reaction appears immediately after endothermic peak, a coupling phenomenon of heat absorption and generation, and the endothermic peak and exothermic peak were indentified at about 277–289 and 279–296 °C (T_peak) with the heating rates 1, 2, 4 and 8 °C min⁻¹. The ARC results reveal that the initial decomposition temperature of HMT is about 236.55 °C, and the total gas production in decomposition process is 6.9 mol kg⁻¹. Based on the isothermal DSC and ARC data, some kinetic parameters have been determined using thermal safety software. The simulation results show that the exothermic decomposition process of HMT can be expressed by an autocatalytic reaction mechanism. There is also a good agreement between the kinetic model and kinetic parameters simulated based on the isothermal DSC and ARC data. Thermal hazards of HMT can be evaluated by carrying out thermal explosion simulations, which were based on kinetic models (Isothermal DSC and ARC) to predict several thermal hazard indicators, such as T_D24, T_D8, TCL, SADT, ET and CT so that we can optimize the conditions of transportation and storage for chemical, also minimizing industrial disasters.

     

Thermal decompositions of dialkyl peroxides studied by DSC

Studies on the thermal decompositions of diamyl peroxide (DAPO), dicumyl peroxide (DCPO), and tert-butyl cumyl peroxide (TBCP) were conducted by DSC. Heat of decomposition, exothermic onset point, and chemical kinetics were determined and compared to those data of di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP), a model compound for studying thermokinetics of organic peroxide and standardization of a calorimeter. Similarities and differences of decomposition mechanisms between these organic peroxides were proposed and verified. Kinetics on decomposition of uni-molecular reaction via these similar alkoxyl radials accompanying β C–C bond scission were discussed and compared to the results from ab initio calculations. The ranking of thermal stability on dialkyl peroxides is determined to be in the following sequence: DCPO < TBCP < DAPO < DTBP. This rate-determining step in thermal decomposition of dialkyl peroxides possessed an average eigenvalue of log A at about 13.1 ± 1.2. Activation energy on the thermal decomposition of these peroxides was calculated to be 139.5 ± 14.4 kJ mol^?1.     

Hermetic thermal behaviors and specific heat capacities of bis(aminofurazano)furazan and bis(nitrofurazano)furazan

Thermal behaviors of bis(aminofurazano)furazan (BAFF) and bis(nitrofurazano)furazan (BNFF) were studied by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method with a special hermetic high-pressure crucible and compared to that with a common standard Al crucible. The exothermic decomposition processes of the two compounds were completely revealed. The extrapolated onset temperature, peak temperature and enthalpy of exothermic decomposition at the heating rate of 10 °C min^?1 are 290.2, 313.4 °C and ??2174 J g^?1 for BAFF, and 265.8, 305.0 °C and ??2351 J g^?1 for BNFF, respectively. The apparent activation energies of the decomposition process for the two compounds are 115.7 and 131.7 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The self-accelerating decomposition temperatures and critical temperatures of thermal explosion are 247.5 and 368.7 °C for BAFF, and 249.6 and 268.1 °C for BAFF, respectively. Both BAFF and BNFF present high thermal stability. The specific heat capacities for the two compounds were determined with the micro-DSC method, and the specific heat capacities and molar heat capacities at 298.15 K are 1.0921 J g^?1 K^?1 and 257.9 J mol^?1 K^?1 for BAFF, and 1.0419 J g^?1 K^?1 and 308.5 J mol^?1 K^?1 for BNFF, respectively.     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of gem-dinitro valerylated polystyrene

Commercial polystyrene has been chemically modified with 4,4-dinitro valeryl chloride by use of Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride in a mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane and nitrobenzene. The modified polystyrene containing –COCH₂CH₂C(NO₂)₂CH₃ fragments in side phenyl rings, named gem-dinitro valerylated polystyrene (GDN-PS), was characterized by an Ubbelohde’s viscometer, FTIR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Simultaneous thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been used to study thermal behavior of the polymer. The results of TG analysis revealed that the main thermal degradation for the GDN-PS occurs during two temperature ranges of 200–300 and 300–430 °C. The DTA curve of GDN-PS is showing a visible exothermic peak at 253.8 °C corresponding to the decomposition of gem-dinitro valeryl groups. The decomposition kinetic of the gem-dinitro groups for GDN-PS with degree of substitution (DS) 11 % was studied by non-isothermal DSC under various heating rates. Kinetic parameters such as activation energy and frequency factor for thermal decomposition of GDN-PS with DS 11 % were evaluated via the ASTM E698 and two isoconversional methods.     

Thermal hazard evaluations of 18650 lithium-ion batteries by an adiabatic calorimeter

In this study, the thermal hazard features of various lithium-ion batteries, such as LiCoO₂ and LiFePO₄, were assessed properly by calorimetric techniques. Vent sizing package 2 (VSP2), an adiabatic calorimeter, was used to measure the thermal hazards and runaway characteristics of the 18650 lithium-ion batteries under an adiabatic condition. The thermal behaviors of the lithium-ion batteries were obtained at normal and abnormal conditions in this study. The critical parameters for thermal hazardous behavior of lithium-ion batteries were obtained including the exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH), maximum temperature (T _max), maximum pressure (P _max), self-heating rate (dT/dt), and pressure rise rate (dP/dt). Therefore, the result indicates the thermal runaway situation of the lithium-ion battery with different materials and voltages in view the of TNT-equivalent method by VSP2. The hazard gets greater with higher voltage. Without the consideration of other anti-pressure measurements, different voltages involving 3.3, 3.6, 3.7, and 4.2 V are evaluated to 0.11, 0.23, 0.88, and 1.77 g of TNT. Further estimation of thermal runaway reaction and decomposition reaction of lithium-ion battery can also be confirmed by VSP2. It shows that the battery of a fully charged state is more dangerous than that of a storage state. The technique results showed that VSP2 can be used to strictly evaluate thermal runaway reaction and thermal decomposition behaviors of lithium-ion batteries. The loss prevention and thermal hazard assessment are very important for development of electric vehicles as well as other appliances in the future. Therefore, our results could be applied to define important safety indices of lithium-ion batteries for safety concerns.     

Explosion evaluation and safety storage analyses of cumene hydroperoxide using various calorimeters

Plenty of thermal explosions and runaway reactions of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) were described from 1981 to 2010 in Taiwan. Therefore, a thermal explosion accident of CHP in oxidation tower in 2010 in Taiwan was investigated because of piping breakage. In general, high concentration of CHP for thermal analysis using the calorimeter is dangerous. Therefore, a simulation method and a kinetic parameter were used to simulate thermal hazard of high concentrations of CHP only by the researcher. This study was applied to evaluate thermal hazard and to analyze storage parameters of 80 and 88 mass% CHP using three calorimeters for the oxidation tower, transportation, and 50-gallon drum. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) (a non-isothermal calorimeter), thermal activity monitor III (TAM III) (an isothermal calorimeter), and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) (an adiabatic calorimeter) were employed to detect the exothermic behavior and runaway reaction model of 80 and 88 mass% CHP. Exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), maximum temperature (T _max), time to maximum rate under isothermal condition (TMR_iso) (as an emergency response time), maximum pressure (P _max), maximum of self-heating rate ((dT/dt)_max), maximum of pressure rise rate ((dP/dt)_max), half-life time (t _1/2), reaction order (n), activation energy (E _a), frequency factor (A), etc., of 80 and 88 mass% CHP were applied to prevent thermal explosion and runaway reaction accident and to calculate the critical temperature (T _c). Experimental results displayed that the n of 80 and 88 mass% CHP was determined to be 0.5 and the E _a of 80 and 88 mass% CHP were evaluated to be 132 and 134 kJ mol^?1, respectively.     

Evolved gas analysis of amorphous precursors for S-doped TiO2 by TG-FTIR and TG/DTA-MS

Thermal decomposition of an amorphous precursor for S-doped titania (TiO₂) nanopowders, prepared by controlled sol–gel hydrolysis–condensation of titanium(IV) tetraethoxide and thiourea in aqueous ethanol, has been studied up to 800 °C in flowing air. Simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis coupled online with quadrupole mass spectrometer (TG/DTA-MS) and FTIR spectrometric gas cell (TG-FTIR) have been applied for analysis of released gases (EGA) and their evolution dynamics in order to explore and simulate thermal annealing processes of fabrication techniques of the aimed S:TiO₂ photocatalysts with photocatalytic activities under visible light. The precursor sample prepared with thiourea, released first water endothermically from room temperature to 190 °C, carbonyl sulfide (COS) from 120 to 240 °C in two stages, ammonia (NH₃) from 170 to 350 °C in three steps, and organic mater (probably ether and ethylene) between 140 and 230 °C. The evolution of CO₂, H₂O and SO₂, as oxidation products, occurs between 180 and 240 °C, accompanied by exothermic DTA peaks at 190 and 235 °C. Some small mass gain occurs before the following exothermic heat effect at 500 °C, which is probably due to the simultaneous burning out of residual carbonaceous and sulphureous species, and transformation of amorphous titania into anatase. The oxidative process is accompanied by evolution of CO₂ and SO₂. Anatase, which formed also in the exothermic peak at 500 °C, mainly keeps its structure, since only 10% of rutile formation is detected below or at 800 °C by XRD. Meanwhile, from 500 °C, a final burning off organics is also indicated by continuous CO₂ evolution and small exothermic effects.     

Thermal analysis of two types of dextran-coated magnetite

The thermal stability of two kinds of dextran-coated magnetite (dextran with molecular weight of 40,000 (Dex40) and 70,000 (Dex70)), obtained by dextran adsorption onto the magnetite surface is investigated in comparison with free dextran in air and argon atmosphere. The thermal behavior of the two free dextran types and corresponding coated magnetites is similar, but atmosphere dependent. The magnetite catalyzes the thermal decomposition of dextran, the adsorbed dextran displaying lower initial decomposition temperatures comparative with the free one in both working atmospheres. The dextran adsorbed onto the magnetite surface decomposes in air through a strong sharp exothermic process up to ~450 °C while in argon atmosphere two endothermic stages are identified, one in the temperature range 160–450 °C and the other at 530–800 °C.     

Gelation kinetics of PAM/PEI system

Excess water production in oil and gas wells causes serious productivity and environmental problems in the oilfield. A mixture composed of a polymer, cross-linker, and water is usually injected into the reservoir to block unwanted water by forming a three-dimensional structure. This transition process from solution to gel is a function of temperature, time, salinity of mixing water, and concentration of the various components. The gelling solution was prepared by mixing polyacrylamide (PAM) with distilled water, and then polyethylenimine (PEI) was added as a cross-linker. The injection process was simulated and investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) over the temperature range of 80–120 °C. The DSC dynamic scan showed two consecutive peaks. An endothermic peak was observed at low temperature due to PAM alkaline hydrolysis which ends at around 60 °C. Another exotherm was observed at ~70 °C which corresponds to the onset of cross-linking of PAM and PEI. It was found that high temperatures lead to high release of heat due to gelation. The effect of salts on the cross-linking was also examined. More delay in cross-linking was observed in the case of NH₄Cl compared to NaCl. The gelation kinetics was modeled using a rate process model that relates fractional gelation with time. Further, Avrami model, usually used to study crystallization kinetics, was also used to model the gelation process. Kinetic parameters were obtained from the two different models, and the results showed good agreement with experimental data. The presence of salts in seawater leads to a drop of 60–80 % in the rate constant without influencing the order of the gelation reaction.     

Investigation of the water content effect on primer mixtures self-ignition parameter

The thermal decomposition properties of primer mixture 1 with different water content can be investigated using a series of thermal analysis equipment and by its technique. By the DSC analysis in this work, although the major exothermic peak of the primer mixture 1 with different water content, at the temperature range from 250 to 350°C were gradual disappeared when increasing the water content of primer mixture 1, but this result could not indicate that the detonating ability of wetted primer mixture 1 was lost. And by TG analysis, wetted primer mixture 1 was still found possessing detonation properties under a higher heating rate condition. Although wetted primer mixture shows hard detonating character but we still need very carefully when executing a disposal mission.     

Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of Formex-bonded explosives containing different cyclic nitramines

Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of Formex-bonded PBXs based on some attractive cyclic nitramines, such as 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX). Actually, cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitrooctahy droimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole (BCHMX) and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10, 12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20), was investigated by means of nonisothermal thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the mass loss rate of PBXs involved in this research depends greatly on heating rate and the residue of the decomposition of these PBXs decreases with the heating rate. The onset of the exotherms was noticed at 215.4, 278.7, 231.2 and 233.7 °C with the peak maximum at 235.1, 279.0, 231.2 and 233.7 °C for RDX-Formex, HMX-Formex, CL-20-Formex, and BCHMX-Formex, respectively. Their corresponding exothermic changes were 1788, 1237, 691, and 1583 J g^?1. It was also observed that the dependence on the heating rate for onset temperatures of HMX- and BCHMX-based PBXs was almost the same due to their similar molecular structure. In addition, based on nonisothermal TG data, the kinetic parameters for thermal decomposition of these PBXs were calculated by isoconversional methods. It was shown that the Formex base has great effects on the activation energy distribution of nitramines. It was further found that the kinetic compensation effects occurred during the thermal decomposition of nitramine-based PBXs, and they almost have the same compensation effects due to similar decomposition mechanism.     

Adiabatisches Kalorimeter zur Messung der spezifischen Wärme von Hochpolymeren

Zusammenfassung Es wird der Aufbau eines adiabatischen Kalorimeters beschrieben, das es erlaubt, die spezifische W?rme von schlecht w?rmeleitenden Stoffen (Festk?rper und Flüssigkeiten) im Temperaturbereich −80...+250°C zu messen.

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Summary An adiabatic calorimeter suitable for specific heat measurement of solids and liquids of poor thermal conductivity for the temperature range −80... +250 °C is described.

     

DSC characterisation of chemically reduced electrolytic manganese dioxide

The thermal decomposition of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), in an inert atmosphere, and the effect of chemical reduction on EMD, using 2-propanol under reflux (82°C), was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This study is an extension of a study investigating the thermal decomposition of EMD and reduced EMD by TG-MS (J. Therm. Anal. Cal., 80 (2005)625)). The DSC characterisation was carried out up to 600°C encompassing the water loss region up to 390°C and the first thermal reduction step. Water removal was observed in two distinct endothermic peaks (which were not deconvolved in the TG-MS) associated with the removal of bound water. For the lower degrees of chemical reduction, thermal reduction resulted in the formation of Mn₂O₃; for higher degrees of chemical reduction, the thermal reduction resulted in Mn₃O₄ at 600°C. In the DSC the thermal reduction of the EMD and chemically reduced specimen was observed to be endothermic. The reduced specimens, however, also showed an exothermic structural reorganisation.     

Structure and thermal decomposition of ammonium metatungstate

The structure and morphology of ammonium metatungstate (AMT), (NH₄)₆[H₂W₁₂O₄₀]?4H₂O, and its thermal decomposition in air and nitrogen atmospheres were investigated by SEM, FTIR, XRD, and TG/DTA-MS. The cell parameters of the AMT sample were determined and refined with a full profile fit. The thermal decomposition of AMT involved several steps in inert atmosphere: (i) release of crystal water between 25 and 200 °C resulting in dehydrated AMT, (ii) formation of an amorphous phase between 200 and 380 °C, (iii) from which hexagonal WO₃ formed between 380 and 500 °C, and (iv) which then transformed into the more stable m-WO₃ between 500 and 600 °C. As a difference in air, the as-formed NH₃ ignited with an exothermic heat effect, and nitrous oxides formed as combustion products. The thermal behavior of AMT was similar to ammonium paratungstate (APT), (NH₄)₁₀[H₂W₁₂O₄₂]?4H₂O, the only main difference being the lack of dry NH₃ evolution between 170 and 240 °C in the case of AMT.     

Thermal study of clay ceramic pastes containing sugarcane bagasse ash waste

This study focuses on the thermal and mineralogical transformations of clay ceramic pastes. The pastes contain different amounts of sugarcane bagasse ash waste. Thermal and mineralogical changes occurring during firing were characterized by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry analysis (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy. On heating three endothermic events within the 73.5–75.7, 276.9–283.5, and 567.1–573.5 °C temperature ranges were identified. The endothermic valleys could be mainly interpreted as the release of physically adsorbed water, dehydration of hydroxides, and dehydroxylation of kaolinite, respectively. Two exothermic events within the 618.9–690.1 and 948 °C temperature ranges were identified. The exothermic peaks are associated with the decomposition of organic compounds and crystallization of mullite from metakaolinite, respectively. TG results indicate that the clay ceramic pastes had a total mass loss in the 13.1–13.6 % range, and are dependent on the sugarcane bagasse ash waste amount added. It was found that the replacement of natural clay with sugarcane bagasse ash waste, in the range up to 20 wt%, influenced the thermal behavior and technological properties of the clay ceramic pastes. In addition, the thermal analysis results agree well with the XRD.     

Thermal behavior and immersion heats of selected clays from Turkey

Four clays (two bentonites and two kaolinites) from Turkey were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA/TG-DSC) and surface area measurement techniques. Mineralogically bentonite samples were characterized low concentration of montmorillonite and high level of impurities. Both kaolinite samples mainly contained kaolinite and quartz as major mineral. TG-DTA curves of all clay samples were measured in the temperature range 30–1200 °C. The total % weight losses for the bentonite samples (B1 and B2) and the kaolinite samples (K1 and K2) were determined as 14.50, 13.42, 5.55 and 11.85%, respectively. Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) analyses of samples were carried out by heating the samples from 30 to 550 °C. The immersion heats of clay samples were measured using with a Calvet-type C-80 calorimeter. The higher exothermic Q_imm values were determined for bentonite samples compared to kaolinite samples.