Studies on the runaway reaction of ABS polymerization process.
Taiwan has the largest acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer production in the world. Preventing on unexpected exothermic reactions and related emergency relief hazard is essential in the safety control of ABS emulsion polymerization. A VSP2 (Vent Sizing Package 2) apparatus is capable of studying both normal and abnormal conditions (e.g., cooling failure, mischarge, etc.) of industrial process. In this study, the scenarios were verified from the following abnormal conditions: loss of cooling, double charge of initiator, overcharge of monomer, without charge of solvent, and external fire. An external fire with constant heating will promote higher self-heat rate and this is recommended as the worst case scenario of emulsion polymerization on butadiene. Cooling failure coupled with bulk system of reactant was determined to be the credible worst case in ABS emulsion polymerization. Finally, the emergency vent sizing based on thermokinetics from VSP associated with DIERS methodology were used for evaluating the vent sizing and compared to that of the industrial plants.
Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC.
Kwan-Hua
KH
Hu
Chen-Shan
CS
Kao
Yih-Shing
YS
Duh
D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
D011108:Polymers