Designing a safer process for the reaction of TFA with sodium borohydride in THF by calorimetric technique

Reaction of TFA with sodium borohydride in THF is a loss of thermal control involving the evolution of Hydrogen gas. The investigation of the process by RC1e and ARSST showed that the criticality class of the reaction is dependant on the addition of TFA. Heat of reaction (Q _r), adiabatic temperature rise (ΔT _ad), and MTSR data are obtained from RC1e experiment. Exothermic onset temperature, Pressure rise, and self heat rate data are obtained from ARSST experiments. The correlation of these data was utilized to define the criticality class of the reaction under different conditions. The reaction with uncontrolled addition of TFA falls in the undesirable criticality class 5. Vent size data are obtained from the adiabatic calorimeter for undesirable reaction. The criticality class can be changed to class 2 with controlled addition. Accordingly, interlock system to control the undesired reaction and appropriate vent relief system are provided.