Prediction and evaluation of the reactivity of self-reactive substances using microcalorimetries

To evaluate the thermal hazard of self-reactive substances in chemical proc esses, the time to maximum rate (TMR) of autocatalytic decomposition reacti on of cumenehydroperoxide (CHP) was determined by calculations based on the results of isothermal measurement using DSC and heat conduction calorimete r. In addition, the factors affecting the calculated results were investiga ted. It was found that the TMR is affected by the catalytic action of the s ample vessel metal. When this effect is taken into account in analyzing the experimental result, the predicted TMR shows a good agreement with the val ue determined using the adiabatic reaction calorimeter. The present study c larified that the proposed technique would enable the appropriate evaluatio n of thermal hazard of an autocatalytic reaction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.