Jiann-Rong Chen

Incompatible reaction for (3-4-epoxycyclohexane) methyl-3′-4′-epoxycyclohexyl-carboxylate (EEC) by calorimetric technology and theoretical kinetic model

Abstract(3-4-Epoxycyclohexane) methyl-3′-4′-epoxycyclohexyl-carboxylate (EEC) is a typical epoxy resin (EP). In Asia, due to the unstable reactive natures of EP, various thermal hazard and runaway reaction incidents have been occasioned by EP in the manufacturing process, such as fire, explosion, and toxic release, resulting in loss of life as well financial catastrophes and social outcries. Certain catalysis substances, H2SO4, acetic acid, or NaOH, may accelerate the reaction or curing rate for EP. However, an incompatible reaction with these chemical substances may induce a thermal hazard, causing a runaway excursion during the last stage. We employed thermogravimetry (TG) to obtain thermal stability parameters under non-isothermal conditions to evaluate the runaway reactions for EEC. The experimental data were compared with kinetics-based curve fitting to assess thermally hazardous phenomena by optimizing curve fitting on the kinetic parameters. The aim of this study was to estimate the incompatible hazards for EEC, provide thermal hazard information in order to determine the optimum operation conditions, and diminish the likelihood of fire and explosion accidents incurred by EP.

Isothermal and non-isothermal calorimetric techniques combined with a simulation approach for studying the decomposition characteristics of di(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide

Disasters caused by organic peroxides, such as di(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide (DCBP), are mainly attributed to the presence of unstable oxygen atom bonds. In this study, DCBP was investigated through differential scanning calorimetry and thermal activity monitor III, which yielded thermokinetic data to delve into the pure decomposition characteristics of DCBP undergoing chemical reactions. In addition, the thermokinetic data were used to determine the thermal safety parameters through simulation using a best-fit approach based on an appropriately chosen kinetic model and thermal safety software. We found that DCBP decomposes more satisfactorily by an autocatalytic reaction at low temperatures. The apparent activation energy determined through various approaches, such as Kissinger and Ozawa methods, and thermal safety software simulation were studied. Although DCBP decomposition deposits with dioxins, which require major decontamination measures, DCBP is used to produce silicone products globally. The present study establishes threshold thermokinetic parameters for packing and handling thermally sensitive organic peroxides; these thresholds help predict unwarranted runaway reactions, which entail enormous pressure rise and release of toxic by-products to the environment.