Using calorimetric approaches and thermal analysis technology to evaluate critical runaway parameters of azobisisobutyronitrile

Abstract

Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), an azo compound, is widely used in the polymerization reaction process. Due to –N = N– composition of AIBN, it has excellent high thermal sensitivity and decent amounts of decomposition heat. When the cooling system fails, a runaway reaction may occur, leading to a fire or explosion. We used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to analyze the thermal hazard parameters of AIBN. Based on DSC thermal data, we can determine the apparent onset temperature (T0), heat of decomposition (ΔHd), apparent activation energy (Ea) and its reaction model to evaluate the basic thermal hazard of AIBN. We evaluated the critical runaway parameters of AIBN by Semenov methods, such as critical runaway temperatures and stable temperatures. These critical runaway parameters can be used to describe the unstable reaction criterion, which could determine AIBN’s thermal criticality. These results are able to prevent the thermal hazard and runaway during the production, transportation, and storage of AIBN.