Case studies of incidents in runaway reactions and emergency relief

Case histories of 65 incidents in runaway reactions and emergency relief in Taiwan were analyzed and classified into several categories according to t heir causes, materials involved, equipment types, reaction types, and ignit ion sources. The cases in reactors and storage tanks were examined in more detail owing to the higher probability or lager potential hazard in these t wo types of equipments. The most common consequence of the incidents are ex plosions, fires, and atmospheric release of toxic chemicals. The most sever e case was a thermal explosion from an organic peroxide storage area which caused the death of 33 persons. Popping and direct releasing of process che micals to the atmosphere from relieving devices cause the greatest environm ental concerns to the community close to the plants. Runaway reactions in b atch type reactors occur frequently due to various operational mistakes. He at of reaction is the most frequent ignition source of runaway reactions an d emergency relief.