Guidelines for Chemical Reactivity Evaluation and Application to Process Design after Twenty Years

Originally published by the Center for Chemical Process Safety/AIChE in 1995, this book provided state-of-the-art technology in theory and test methods for the evaluation of hazardous chemical reactions, and guidance for applying this information to process design and operation.  Over the past twenty years, there have been technological advances in the test methods for evaluating and quantifying scenario-based reactive chemicals hazards, as well as the methodologies for scale-up to manufacturing plants.  Building on this foundational book, and drawing from related publications, this paper describes current approaches at Dow in the areas of reactive chemicals testing and thermokinetic modeling.  This paper also illustrates the types of results which can be expected, and how they are applied in scenario-based hazard evaluation efforts, with examples.    It also describes factors which may influence the selection of appropriate test methods.  Our intent is that by sharing enhanced practices for identifying and managing uncontrolled chemical reactions, the chemical process industries can realize benefits from improved reliability of operations, fewer incidents over the life of a process, and reduced consequences of incidents that may occur.