USE OF SCREENING ANALYSIS CALORIMETRY IN THE STUDY OF PEROXIDES DECOMPOSITION.

In this study the analysis of di-tert-butyl peroxide decomposition in different organic solvents by screening calorimetry is proposed. Organic peroxides are liable to decompose exothermically at normal or high temperatures. The type of solvent changes the effects in the runaway behavior. Screening calorimetry data allow us to define the conditions and ranges of temperature and pressure involved. In the experimental apparatus used, the experiments are carried out safely even when there is a rapid and large increase in temperature and pressure. Screening calorimetry represents in this sense a first step in risk analysis studies and also a key in scaling up of processes. Screening calorimetry data have to be validated by experiments carried out in more complex calorimeters, similar to industrial reactors (adiabatic and reaction calorimeters), but the use of the TSu makes it possible to save time and reduce the number of experiments with laboratory scale calorimeters. In this paper a comparison between screening and adiabatic data for hydrogen peroxide decomposition is shown.