Reactivity in the solid-state between ZnWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and some rare-earth metal molybdates RE<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>6</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">RE</Emphasis>=Y,Sm, Eu,Gd, Dy,Ho, Er and Lu)

Organic peroxides (OPs) have caused many momentous explosions and runaway reactions, resulting from thermal instability, chemical pollutants, and even mechanical shock. In Taiwan, dicumyl peroxide (DCPO), due to its unstable reactive nature, has caused two thermal explosions and runaway reaction incidents in the manufacturing process. To evaluate thermal hazards of DCPO in a batch reactor, we studied thermokinetic parameters, such as heat of decomposition (†H _d), exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), maximum temperature rise ((dT/dt)_max), maximum pressure rise ((dP/dt)_max), self-heating rate (dT/dt), etc., via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2).     

Effects of cumene hydroperoxide on phenol and acetone manufacturing by DSC and VSP2

Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) being catalyzed by acid is one of the crucial processes for producing phenol and acetone globally. However, it is thermally unstable to the runaway reaction readily. In this study, various concentrations of phenol and acetone were added into CHP for determination of thermal hazards. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests were used to obtain the parameters of exothermic behaviors under dynamic screening. The parameters included exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), and exothermic peak temperature (T _p). Vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) was employed to receive the maximum pressure (P _max), the maximum temperature (T _max), the self-heating rate (dT/dt), maximum pressure rise rate ((dP/dt)_max), and adiabatic time to maximum rate ((TMR)_ad) under the worst case. Finally, a procedure for predicting thermal hazard data was developed. The results revealed that phenol and acetone sharply caused a exothermic reaction of CHP. As a result, phenol and acetone are important indicators that may cause a thermal hazard in the manufacturing process.     

Thermal hazard evaluation for methyl ethyl ketone peroxide mixedwith inorganic acids

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) possesses complex structures which have caused many incidents involving fires or explosions by mixing with incompatible substances, external fires, and others. In this study, reactivities or incompatibilities of MEKPO with inorganic acids (HCl, HNO₃, H₃PO₄ and H₂SO₄) were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2). Parameters obtained by the above-mentioned devices could be readily employed to discuss the runaway reaction, such as onset temperature (T ₀), heat of reaction (ΔH _d), time to maximum rate (TMR), maximum self heat rate (dT/dt)_max, adiabatic temperature rise (ΔT _ad), maximum pressure of decomposition (P _max) and so on. Mixing MEKPO with hydrochloric acid resulted in the lowest T ₀ among inorganic acids. Nitric acid not only lowered the T ₀ but also delivered the highest heat releasing rate or self heat rate (dT/dt), which was concluded to be the worst case in terms of contamination hazards during storage or transportation of MEKPO.     

Self-reactive rating of thermal runaway hazards on 18650 lithium-ion batteries

Vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) was used to measure the thermal hazard and runaway characteristics of 18650 lithium-ion batteries, which were manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Runaway reaction behaviors of these batteries were obtained: 50% state of charge (SOC), and 100% SOC. The tests evaluated the thermal hazard characteristics, such as initial exothermic temperature (T ₀), self-heating rate (dT?dt ^?1), pressure-rise rate (dP?dt ^?1), pressure temperature profiles, maximum temperature, and pressure which were observed by adiabatic calorimetric methodology via VSP2 using customized test cells. The safety assessment of lithium-ion cells proved to be an important subject. The maximum self-heating rate (dT?dt ^?1)_max and the largest pressure-rise rate (dP?dt ^?1)_max of Sanyo 18650 lithium-ion battery of 100% SOC were measured to be 37,468.8???C?min^?1 and 10,845.6?psi?min^?1, respectively, and the maximum temperature was 733.1???C. Therefore, a runaway reaction is extremely serious when a lithium-ion battery is exothermic at 100% SOC. This result also demonstrated that the thermal VSP2 is an alternative method of thermal hazard assessment for battery safety research. Finally, self-reactive ratings on thermal hazards of 18650 lithium-ion batteries were studied and elucidated to a deeper extent.     

Thermal explosion simulation and incompatible reaction of dicumyl peroxide by calorimetric technique

Dicumyl peroxide (DCPO) is usually employed as an initiator for polymerization, a source of free radicals, a hardener, and a linking agent. In Asia, due to its unstable reactive nature, DCPO has caused many thermal explosions and runaway reaction incidents in the manufacturing process. This study was conducted to elucidate its essentially thermal hazard characteristics. In order to analyze the runaway behavior of DCPO in a batch reactor, thermokinetic parameters, such as heat of decomposition (ΔH _d) and exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), were measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal runaway phenomena were then thoroughly investigated by DSC. The thermokinetics of DCPO mixed with acids or bases were determined by DSC, and the experimental data were compared with kinetics-based curve fitting of thermal safety software (TSS). Solid thermal explosion (STE) and liquid thermal explosion (LTE) simulations of TSS were applied to determine the fundamental thermal explosion behavior in large tanks or drums. Results from curve fitting indicated that all of the acids or bases could induce exothermic reactions at even an earlier stage of the experiments. In order to diminish the extent of hazard, hazard information must be provided to the manufacturing process. Thermal hazard of DCPO mixed with nitric acid (HNO₃) was more dangerous than with other acids including sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), and hydrochloric acid (HCl). By DSC, T ₀, heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), and activation energy (E _a) of DCPO mixed with HNO₃ were calculated to be 70 °C, 911 J g⁻¹, and 33 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Thermal hazard evaluation of tert-butyl peroxide using non-isothermal and adiabatic calorimetric approaches

Tert-butyl peroxide (TBPO), is a typical organic peroxides (OPs),which is widely applied as initiator in poly-glycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) reaction, and is employed to provide a free-radical in frontal polymerization, and which has also caused many thermal runaway reactions and explosions worldwide. To find an unknown and insufficient hazard information for an energetic material, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) were employed to detect the fundamental thermokinetic parameters involving the exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (??H _d), temperature rise rate (dT · dt ^?1), time to maximum rate under adiabatic situation (TMR_ad), pressure rise rate (dP · dt ^?1), and maximum pressure (P _max), etc. The T ₀ was calculated to be 130?°C using DSC and VSP2. Activation energy (E _a) of TBPO was evaluated to be 136?kJ?mol^?1 by VSP2. In view of the loss prevention, calorimetric applications and model evaluation to integrate thermal hazard development are adequate means for inherently safer design.     

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.     

Study on thermal hazards for isoprene monomer (IPM) mixed with aluminum oxide

Isoprene monomer (IPM) is a colorless, volatile liquid obtained from petroleum or coal tar that occurs naturally in many process plants. It is used chiefly to make synthetic rubber. Our study used calorimetric approaches to conduct thermal analysis and hazard assessment of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and IPM relevant studies. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermal activity monitor III, thermogravimetry, and vent sizing package 2 were used to discuss thermal instability reaction of Al₂O₃, which adsorbed IPM, and find every possible reason for cases of fire to prevent any future recurrence of the package store and transport related hazards. By means of calorimetric analysis technology, we can observe thermal decomposition or mass loss for different adsorbed concentrations of IPM and Al₂O₃ to discuss the related thermal stability parameters, such as exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), self-accelerating exothermic rate (dT dt ^?1), pressure rise rate, and maximum reaction temperature (T _max). Then, we can understand the potential hazard factors that contribute to disasters related to processing, transport, and storage of security controls and reaction process design.     

Thermal runaway analyses for two organic peroxides with H2O and dry fire-extinguishing chemicals by DSC and VSP2

In recent years, organic peroxides, including methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) and cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), have often caused thermal runaway reactions, fires, and thermal explosions worldwide. Under normal circumstances, H₂O and dry fire-extinguishing chemicals are often employed to eliminate fire situations. We evaluated the thermal runaway reaction for MEKPO and CHP mixed with H₂O and dry fire-extinguishing chemicals by differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal runaway reaction for CHP mixed with dry fire-extinguishing chemicals by vent sizing package 2. The results showed that ABC dry chemical, BC dry chemical, and XBC dry chemical all caused the decomposition of MEKPO to occur at lower onset temperature and H₂O caused the ΔH _d of MEKPO to become higher. On the other hand, H₂O and XBC dry chemical induced the decomposition of CHP to occur at lower onset temperature as well as lower thermal explosion temperature. The maximum of self-heating rate ((dT/dt)_max) and the maximum pressure-rise rate ((dP/dt)_max) of CHP mixed with dry fire-extinguishing chemicals were measured lower than CHP alone. The results indicated that MEKPO and CHP are highly hazardous when mixed with H₂O and some dry fire-extinguishing chemicals. In view of loss prevention, the results can be useful references for fire fighters dealing with thermal upsets in chemical plants.     

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.     

Thermal explosion simulation of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide in three types of vessel under the same volume by explosion models

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO), which has highly reactive and exothermically unstable characteristics, has been extensively employed in the chemical industries. It has also caused many thermal explosions and runaway reaction accidents in manufacturing processes during the last three decades in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and China. The goal of this study was to simulate thermal upset by MEKPO for an emergency response. Vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) was used to determine the thermokinetics of 20 mass% MEKPO. Data of thermokinetics and hazard behaviors were employed to simulate thermal explosion in three types of vessel containing 20 mass% MEKPO under various scenarios at the same volume. To compare and appraise the difference of important parameters, such as maximum temperature (T _max), maximum pressure (P _max), etc. This was necessary and useful for investigating the emergency response procedure associated with industrial applications.     

Thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sulfuric acid

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is popularly employed as a reaction reagent in cleaning processes for the chemical industry and semiconductor plants. By using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2), this study focused on the thermal decomposition reaction of H₂O₂ mixed with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) with low (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 N), and high concentrations of 96 mass%, respectively. Thermokinetic data, such as exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), pressure rise rate (dP/dt), and self-heating rate (dT/dt), were obtained and assessed by the DSC and VSP2 experiments. From the thermal decomposition reaction on various concentrations of H₂SO₄, the experimental data of T ₀, ΔH, dP/dt, and dT/dt were obtained. Comparisons of the reactivity for H₂O₂ and H₂O₂ mixed with H₂SO₄ (lower and higher concentrations) were evaluated to corroborate the decomposition reaction in these systems.     

Thermal runaway features of 18650 lithium-ion batteries for LiFePO4 cathode material by DSC and VSP2

In view of availability, accountability, and applicability, LiFePO₄ cathode material has been confirmed to be better than LiCoO₂ cathode material. Nevertheless, few related researches were conducted for thermal runaway reaction of the LiFePO₄ batteries. In this study, vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) and differential scanning calorimetry were employed to observe the thermal hazard of 18650 lithium-ion batteries and their content??LiFePO₄ cathode material, which were manufactured by Commercial Battery, Inc. Two states of the batteries were investigated, which was charged to 3.6?V (fully charged) and 4.2?V (overcharged), respectively, and important parameters were obtained, such as self-heating rate (dT?dt ^?1), pressure-rise rate (dP?dt ^?1), and exothermic onset temperature (T ₀). The results showed that T ₀ for fully charged is about 199.94?°C and T _max is about 243.23?°C. The entire battery for LiFePO₄ cathode material is more stable than other lithium-ion batteries, and an entire battery is more dangerous than a single cathode material. For process loss prevention, the data of battery of VSP2 test were applied as reference for design of safer devices.     

Runaway effects of nitric acid on methyl ethyl ketone peroxide by TAM III tests

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) is an unstable material above certain limits of temperature, decomposing into chain reactions by radicals. The influence of runaway reactions on this basic characteristic was assessed by evaluating kinetic parameters, such as activation energy (E _a ), frequency factor (A), etc., by thermal activity monitor III (TAM III). This was done under three isothermal conditions of 70, 80, and 90 °C, with MEKPO 31 mass% combined with nitric acid (HNO₃ 6 N) and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃ 6 N). Nitric acid mixed with MEKPO gave the maximum heat of reaction (△H _d ) and also induced serious reactions in the initial stage of exothermic process under the three isothermal temperatures. The time to maximum rate (TMR) also decreased when HNO₃ was mixed with MEKPO. Thus, MEKPO combined with HNO₃ 6 N forms a very hazardous mixture. Results of this study will be provided to relevant plants for alerting their staff on adopting best practices in emergency response or accident control.     

Evaluation of thermal hazard for lauroyl peroxide by VSP2 and TAM III

When above certain temperature limits, lauroyl peroxide is an unstable material. If the thermal source cannot be properly governed during any stage in the preparation, manufacturing process, storage or transport, runaway reactions may inevitably be induced immediately. In this study, the influence of runaway reactions on its basic thermal characteristic was assessed by evaluating thermokinetic parameters, such as activation energy (E _a) and frequency factor (A) by thermal activity monitor III (TAM III). This was achieved under five isothermal conditions of 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90?°C. Vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) was employed to determine the maximum pressure (P _max), maximum temperature (T _max ), maximum self-heating rate ((dT?dt ^?1)_max), maximum pressure rise rate ((dP?dt ^?1)_max), and isothermal time to maximum rate ((TMR)_iso) under the worst case. Results of this study will be provided to relevant plants for adopting best practices in emergency response or accident control.     

Kinetics of thermal decomposition of dinitramide

Kinetic regularities of thermal decomposition of dinitramide in aqueous and sulfuric acid solutions were studied in a wide temperature range. The rate of the thermal decomposition of dinitramide was established to be determined by the rates of decomposition of different forms of dinitramide as the acidity of the medium increases: first, N(NO₂)⁻ anions, then HN(NO₂)₂ molecules, and finally, protonated H₂N(NO₂)₂ ⁺ cations. The temperature dependences of the rate constants of the decomposition of N(NO₂)⁻ (k _an) and HN(NO₂)₂ (k′_ac) and the equilibrium constant of dissociation of HN(NO₂)₂ (K _a) were determined:k _an=1.7·10¹⁷ exp(−20.5·10³/T), s⁻¹,k′_ac=7.9·10¹⁶ exp(−16.1·10³/T), s⁻¹, andK _a=1.4·10 exp(−2.6·10³/T). The temperature dependences of the decomposition rate constant of H₂N(NO₂)₂ ⁺ (k _d) and the equilibrium constant of the dissociation of H₂N(NO₂)₂ ⁺ (K _d) were estimated:k _d=10¹² exp(−7.9·10³/T), s⁻¹ andK _d=1.1 exp(6.4·10³/T). The kinetic and thermodynamic constants obtained make it possible to calculate the decomposition rate of dinitramide solutions in a wide range of temperatures and acidities of the medium. In this series of articles, we report the results of studies of the thermal decomposition of dinitramide performed in 1974–1978 and not published previously. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2129–2133, December, 1997.     

Kinetics of the exothermic decomposition of 1-nitro-3-(β,β,β-trinitroethyl)-4,5-dinitroiminoimidazolidine-2-one

The kinetic parameters of the exothermic decomposition of the title compound in a temperatureprogrammed mode have been studied by means of DSC. The DSC data obtained are fitted to the integral, differential, and exothermic rate equations by the linear least-squares, iterative, combined dichotomous, and least-squares methods, respectively. After establishing the most probable general expression of differential and integral mechanism functions by the logical choice method, the corresponding values of the apparent activation energy (E _a), preexponential factor (A), and reaction order (n) are obtained by the exothermic rate equation. The results show that the empirical kinetic model function in differential form and the values of E _a and A of this reaction are (1 − α)^−4.08, 149.95 kJ mol⁻¹, and 10^14.06 s⁻¹, respectively. With the help of the heating rate and kinetic parameters obtained, the kinetic equation of the exothermic decomposition of the title compound is proposed. The critical temperature of thermal explosion of the compound is 155.71°C. The above-mentioned kinetic parameters are quite useful for analyzing and evaluating the stability and thermal explosion rule of the title compound. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Zymomonas mobilis as catalyst for the biotechnological production of sorbitol and gluconic acid

The conversion of glucose and fructose into gluconic acid (GA) and sorbitol (SOR) was conducted in a batch reactor with free (CTAB-treated or not) or immobilized cells of Zymomonas mobilis. High yields (more than 90%) of gluconic acid and sorbitol were attained at initial substrate concentration of 600 g/L (glucose plus fructose at 1:1 ratio), using cells with glucose-fructose-oxidoreductase activity of 75 U/L. The concentration of the products varied hyperbolically with time according to the equations (GA)=t(GA)_max/(W_GA +t), (SOR)=t (SOR)_max/(W_Sor+t), v_GA=[W_GA (GA)_max]/(W_GA+t)² and V_SOR=[W_SOR (SOR)_max]/(W_SOR+t)². Taking the test carried out with free CTAB-treated cells as an example, the constant parameters were (GA)_max= 541 g/L, (SOR)_max=552 g/L, W_GA=4.8h, W_SOR=4.9h, υ_GA=112.7 g/L· and υ_SOR=112.7 g/L·.     

Effects of flammability characteristics of steam inerting to solution of acetone in water

Preventing accidental explosions of flammable liquid/gas mixtures is very important. As far as flammability characteristics are concerned, we simulated the effects of inert liquid/gas, which was filled with reactors, vessels, or closed space, employed in the chemical process industries. The inert liquid/gas (H₂O) weakened the oxygen concentration and reduced solvent vapor concentration in a 20-L-Apparatus. This study investigated the flammability characteristics of acetone/water solutions (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75 vol.%) that are controlled at a temperature of 150°C and pressures of 101/202 kPa, respectively. The flammability parameters included flammability limits (LEL and UEL), maximum explosion pressure (P _max), maximum explosion pressure rise ((dP dt ⁻¹)_max), and vapor deflagration index (K _g). The results of a series of experimental tests showed that UEL, P _max, and K _g all decreased with steam rising under the experimental conditions. The results can be applied to process safety design/operation for identifying whether the inert liquid/gas (H₂O) content has any substantial effects in reducing the fire and explosion hazard of the solution of interest.     

Thermal hazard evaluation of tert-butyl hydroperoxide mixed with four acids using calorimetric approaches

Possessing thermal instability inherently, organic peroxides have caused many severe accidents in chemical industries all over the world. tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) is usually used as initiator or oxidant because of its strong oxidizing ability in the chemical process. In this study, the thermal hazard analysis of TBHP mixed with various acids was investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 were used to figure out the thermal runaway behaviors of TBHP. Thermokinetic parameters, such as exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), maximum temperature (T _max), and enthalpy (ΔH), were obtained from thermal curves. In addition, the activation energy (E _a) and rate constant (k) were calculated by the Arrhenius equation. Therefore, the T ₀ was determined to be 91.6 °C for exothermic reaction using DSC under 4 °C min^?1 of heating rate. The E _a for exothermic reaction was calculated to be 92.38 kJ mol^?1 by DSC in this study. As far as loss prevention is concerned, thermokinetic parameters are crucial to the relevant processes in the chemical industries, particularly under process upsets.