Self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) calculation of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide using an adiabatic calorimeter and model

The highly reactive and unstable exothermal features of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) have led to a large number of thermal explosions and runaway reaction accidents in the manufacturing process. To evaluate the self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) of MEKPO in various storage vessels, we used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2). The thermokinetic parameters were, in turn, used to calculate the SADT from theoretical equations based on the Semenov model. This study aimed at the SADT prediction value of various storage vessels in Taiwan compared with the UN 25 kg package and UN 0.51 L Dewar vessel. An important index, such as SADT, temperature of no return (T (NR)) and adiabatic time maximum rate (TMRad), was necessary and useful to ensure safe storage or transportation for self-reactive substances in the process industries.