Preventing runaway reaction catastrophes.
Understanding the hazards associated with chemicals is crucial for safe handling, usage, and storage.
Some chemicals can spontaneously decompose or explode under specific conditions, while others may react violently when mixed with incompatible substances, referred to as chemical or thermal runaway reactions.
In batch processes, a cooling system failure in the reactor vessel can initiate localised heating, triggering a runaway reaction as the tank heats up and accelerates the exothermic process. Likewise, in flow reactors, insufficient mixing can lead to non-homogeneous regions vulnerable to local overheating and thermal runaway conditions.
Given the complex nature of runaway reactions, having an expert with profound expertise is crucial, and Gexcon fits that role perfectly.
Experts in runaway reactions
Gexcon's team of engineers possesses valuable expertise in identifying the root causes of runaway reactions. We achieve this through a combination of experimental work and intricate chemical kinetic modelling, allowing us to assess the probability and conditions required for specific thermal runaway scenarios.
Additionally, Gexcon has extensive experience in analysing mitigation measures for runaway reactions, including participation in the CHEERS (Chemical Hazards Evaluation and Emergency Relief Systems) project, supported in part by the European Union. The main goal of this project was to develop guidance and test emergency relief systems using jet condenser quenching to safely dispose of relief streams from runaway chemical reactions, minimising environmental emissions.
Simulating runaway reactions with FLACS
Types of investigations
Equipment failures, process deviations, or other triggers.
Extent and consequences of the runaway reaction.
Experiments to replicate the conditions that led to the runaway reaction.
Runaway reaction modelling and reconstruction using advanced tools, including FLACS, photogrammetry, video and image analysis, and three-dimensional computer animation
Runaway reaction expert witness.
Experts
Our knowledge in diverse industries gives us deep understanding into current industry insights, best practices, and the consequence of emerging trends.
