Thermal hazards evaluation for sym-TCB nitration reaction using thermal screening unit (TSU)

Abstract

A set of experiments was conducted in an HEL thermal screening unit with synthetic mixtures of raw materials in various proportions to evaluate the potential thermal hazards at normal and offset process conditions for nitration of symmetrical trichlorobenzene (TCB). The experiments were carried out in the adiabatic condition. The onset temperatures of the exotherms along with maximum temperature and pressure rise data for the desired and undesirable reactions were obtained. In the presence of excess nitric acid and oleum, the reaction shows a severe thermal runaway at the onset temperature of 138°C with a rapid rise in temperature and pressure leading to a potential explosion.