Screening Analysis for Hazard Assessment of Peroxides Decomposition

In this study the analysis of different kind of organic peroxides decomposition by screening calorimetry is proposed. The aim is to analyze the kinetic and thermodynamic of the decomposition reactions and to evaluate the consequences in particular when the process undergoes to thermal explosion and may be the cause of incidents. Screening calorimetry data allow us to define the conditions and ranges of temperature and pressure evolved during the reaction. In the experimental apparatus used (a screening calorimeter), the experiments have been carried out safely even when there is a rapid and large increase in temperature and pressure. Scanning and isothermal conditions has been investigated. An Early Warning Detection System (EWDS) for thermal runaway based on the divergence criterion has also been applied off-line to the experimental isothermal data, in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the method applied to both temperature and pressure profiles. The results of the application of the EWDS have been compared to the ones obtained by Hub and Jones criterion.