Characterisation of runaway reactions and use of data in simulation programs

Characterisation of runaway reactions is required when safety in the event of a maloperation is to be based on dealing with the consequences of the runaway. Usually tests are carried out in adiabatic reaction calorimeters and often the data obtained are corrected. Kinetic constants calculated from corrected data are used in simulation programs to model the runaway reaction. This paper considers the limitations of the methods used for correcting data and accuracy of the kinetic constants obtained. Simulation programs were developed and used in a parametric analysis to determine the sensitivity of critical values for the simulated reaction with expected variation in the experimentally determined kinetic constants.