(54r) Thermal Decomposition of Benzoyl Peroxide with Incompatible Materials

Organic Peroxides (OP) are widely used in petrochemical industry as initiators. Their unstable O-O bonds make them very useful, but also hazardous due to highly exothermic nature of decomposition, which can result in runaway reactions. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is one of the most commonly used OPs in industry and the hazards associated with its processing, storage and transport are revealed in many incidents. Benzoyl peroxide can decompose under favorable conditions and release large amounts of energy in short time. The decomposition reaction can ultimately lead to runaway reaction, posing great hazard of high temperature and high pressure. The most critical control factors of thermal decomposition and possible explosion of benzoyl peroxide are temperature, structure, and impurities or extraneous matter. This research is a comprehensive study of the runaway behavior of BPO hybrid system using isothermal and adiabatic calorimeters. The aim is the advancement of understanding the thermal decomposition of BPO under various conditions from both experimental and theoretical aspects. More specifically, this research will systematically study and develop thermodynamic and kinetic parameters related to decomposition of BPO with incompatible materials, such as HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, H₃PO₄, NaOH, Na₂CO₃, NH₄HCO₃, and further the use of this particular knowledge to mitigate the risks in storage, transportation and manufacturing process.