SIMULATION OF OPERATIONAL FAILURES IN 2-PHASE SEMIBATCH PROCESSES

Risks of multiphase processes are based on the interaction between mas s transfer, kinetics of chemical reactions, phase equilibrium and mult iphase heat transfer. It is not sufficient to consider only kinetic te rms in safety analysis of these processes. Besides events taking place in the reactor, all important devices in the reactor periphery (heat exchangers, pumps etc.) and all major functions of process control inc luding the installed protective systems also have to be taken into acc ount. Procedures and systems for early-warning and for avoidance and m astering critical events can be defined and tested. The ethoxylation o f fatty alcohols in a gas-liquid semibatch reactor is dicussed as an e xample for the procedure of safety analysis by dynamic simulation of f ailures.