Abstract
Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) is widely used in chemical processes, mainly as an initiator for the polymerization of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene. It is a typical organic peroxide and an explosive substance. It is susceptible to thermal decomposition and is readily affected by contamination; moreover, it has high thermal sensitivity. The reactor tank, transit storage vessel, and pipeline used for manufacturing and transporting this substance are made of metal. Metal containers used in chemical processes can be damaged through aging, wear, erosion, and corrosion; furthermore, the containers might release metal ions. In a metal pipeline, CHP may cause incompatibility reactions because of catalyzed exothermic reactions. This paper discusses and elucidates the potential thermal hazard of a mixture of CHP and an incompatible material’s metal ions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal activity monitor III (TAM III) were employed to preliminarily explore and narrate the thermal hazard at the constant temperature environment. The substance was diluted and analyzed by using a gas chromatography spectrometer (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) to determine the effect of thermal cracking and metal ions of CHP. The thermokinetic parameter values obtained from the experiments are discussed; the results can be used for designing an inherently safer process. As a result, the paper finds that the most hazards are in the reaction of CHP with Fe2+. When the metal release is exothermic in advance, the system temperature increases, even leading to uncontrollable levels, and the process may slip out of control.
Highlights
Since the 1970s, the chemical industry has been booming in Taiwan, and it has contributed to the industrial development and economic progress of the country
cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) is organic peroxide for the following reasons: its structure has a peroxy bond (–O–O–) [4], it has high thermal sensitivity, and it is susceptible to the catalytic properties of contaminants [5,6,7,8]
Organic peroxides have substantial applications. They are widely used in industrial processes because of their high reactivity
Summary
Since the 1970s, the chemical industry has been booming in Taiwan, and it has contributed to the industrial development and economic progress of the country. We sporadically hear of disastrous accidents in the chemical process industry [1,2,3]. Any manufacturing process potentially possesses a variety of risks. Minimizing risks and creating a safer, worry-free, friendly working environment was the main objective of this study and the ultimate goal. Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) is an initiator for the polymerization of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS), which has wide applications and is ubiquitous in our daily life. If the process is aging or other uncontrollable factors such as CHP with incompatible chemicals during their exposure to the substance, it may cause unexpected exothermic reaction in advance [9,10]. Out-of-control reaction processes are normally a result of Molecules 2016, 21, 562; doi:10.3390/molecules21050562 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules result of improper control of the manufacturing process, or problems in operating equipment, improper of heat the manufacturing or problems operatingaequipment, and, to and, control is accumulated process, in the system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
