Calorimetric studies on the thermal hazard of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide with incompatible substances.
In Taiwan, Japan, and China, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) has caused many severe thermal explosions owing to its thermal instability and reactivity originating from the complexity of its structure. This study focused on the incompatible features of MEKPO as detected by calorimetry. The thermal decomposition and runaway behaviors of MEKPO with about 10wt.% incompatibilities, such as H(2)SO(4), HCl, NaOH, KOH, FeCl(3), and FeSO(4), were analyzed by dynamic calorimeter, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and adiabatic calorimeter, vent sizing package 2 (VSP2). Thermokinetic data, such as onset temperature, heat of decomposition, adiabatic temperature rise, and self-heat rate, were obtained and assessed. Experimental data were used for determining the incompatibility rating on hazards. From the thermal curves of MEKPO with assumed incompatible substances detected by DSC, all the onset temperatures in the other tests occurring earlier advanced, especially with alkaline or ferric materials. In some tests, significant incompatible reactions were found. Adiabatic runaway behaviors for simulating the worst case scenario were performed by using VSP2. These calorimetric data led to the same results that the alkaline or ferric solution was the most incompatible with MEKPO.
Chang
Ron-Hsin
RH
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo-Kwang Road, Taichung 40227, Taiwan, ROC.
Shu
Chi-Min
CM
Duh
Yih-Shing
YS
Jehng
Jih-Mirn
JM
D002074:Butanones / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002712:Chlorides; D005107:Explosions; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry
D002074:Butanones; D002712:Chlorides; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C011007:methyl ethyl ketone peroxide; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; C033158:sulfuric acid; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; C024555:ferric chloride; C029943:potassium hydroxide