Adiabatic and isothermal calorimetry for runaway risk quantification
Runaway reaction studies use DSC screening, RC1 reaction calorimetry, and ARC adiabatic calorimetry to characterise heat-release rate, onset temperature, gas evolution, and time-to-maximum-rate. Findings inform vent sizing, cooling design, and emergency response.
Conduct preliminary screening per CEFIC / AIChE / OSHA PSM with literature review, structural alerts (Bretherick / Yoshida indices), and DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) onset temperature; classify reaction per Stoessel scenario class 1-5.
Conduct adiabatic calorimetry — ARC (Accelerating Rate Calorimeter), VSP2 (Vent Sizing Package), Phi-Tec II, APTAC; measure adiabatic temperature rise (ΔTad), self-heat rate (dT/dt), and time-to-maximum-rate (TMRad); align with DIERS test methodology.
Calculate Maximum Temperature of Synthesis Reaction (MTSR) per process scenario — normal, cooling-failure, dosing-stop, runaway; define safe operating window with cooling failure scenario tolerance; align with IChemE / EFCE good-practice.
Size emergency relief per DIERS methodology with two-phase flow consideration — homogeneous, bubbly, or churn-turbulent regime per OMEGA method; specify vent area, piping, and knock-out / quench drum; align with API 520 / IChemE Workbook.
Specify reactor control strategy — cascade temperature control, semi-batch dosing control, model-predictive; design emergency cooling (drown-out, dilution, ice slurry, vaporisation); integrate with SIS for emergency shutdown / relief activation.
Develop operating procedure with cooling-failure response, dosing-failure response, and emergency depressurisation; deliver operator training with scenario simulation; integrate with HAZOP / LOPA / SIL allocation and BEP documentation.
Complete Runaway Reaction & Calorimetry Support scope — every calculation, drawing, specification, and construction support activity.
Speak with our team to scope an engagement tailored to your facility, regulatory context, and lifecycle stage.