The thermal hazard evaluation of 1,1-di (tert-butylperoxy) cyclohexane by DSC using non-isothermal and isothermal-kinetic simulations

1,1-Di (tert-butylperoxy) cyclohexane (DTBPH) has been widely employed in the chemical industry. Unfortunately, organic peroxides have been involved in many serious fires and explosions in manufacturing processes, storage, and transportation. This study investigated the thermokinetic parameters by isothermal kinetic and non-isothermal-kinetic simulation, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests. DSC was applied to assess the kinetic parameters, such as kinetic model, frequency factor (In k(0)), activation energy (E-a), reaction order, and heat of reaction (Delta H-d). Comparisons of non-isothermal and isothermal-kinetic model simulation led to a beneficial kinetic model of thermal decomposition to predict the thermal hazard of DTBPH. Simulations of a 0.5 L Dewar vessel and 25 kg barrel commercial package in liquid thermal explosion models were performed and compared to the results in the literature. From the results, the optimal conditions for use of DTBPH to avoid violent runaway reactions during the storage and transportation were determined. This study established the features of thermal decomposition that could be executed as a reduction of energy potential and storage conditions in view of loss prevention. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.