Calorimetric studies and lessons on fires and explosions of a chemical plant producing CHP and DCPO.

Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) has been used in producing phenol, dicumyl peroxide (DCPO) and as an initiator for synthesizing acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin by copolymerization in Taiwan. Four incidents of fire and explosion induced by thermal runaway reactions were occurred in a same plant producing CHP, DCPO and bis-(tert-butylperoxy isopropyl) benzene peroxide (BIBP). The fourth fire and explosion occurred in the CHP reactor that resulted in a catastrophic damage in reaction region and even spread throughout storage area.

Thermal polymerization of uninhibited styrene investigated by using microcalorimetry.

Calorimetric studies on the bulk polymerization of uninhibited styrene monomer under low temperature conditions from 50 to 85 degrees C were reported. Various thermograms acquired by either dynamic scanning or isothermal ageing were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) or thermal activity monitor (TAM). Isothermal curve demonstrating an autocatalytic phenomenon associated with a characteristic induction time was detected.

Studies on the runaway reaction of ABS polymerization process.

Taiwan has the largest acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer production in the world. Preventing on unexpected exothermic reactions and related emergency relief hazard is essential in the safety control of ABS emulsion polymerization. A VSP2 (Vent Sizing Package 2) apparatus is capable of studying both normal and abnormal conditions (e.

Calorimetric studies on the thermal hazard of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide with incompatible substances.

In Taiwan, Japan, and China, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) has caused many severe thermal explosions owing to its thermal instability and reactivity originating from the complexity of its structure. This study focused on the incompatible features of MEKPO as detected by calorimetry. The thermal decomposition and runaway behaviors of MEKPO with about 10wt.