Experimental Methods to Assess the Thermal Stability of Reactive Chemical Waste stored in Large Waste Tanks

The storage of a reactive chemical waste in large storage tanks can lead to a thermalexplosion, as was the case recently in July 2021 at Currenta in Leverkusen-Bürrig (Germany).Therefore, a process safety risk assessment prior to mixing of different organic waste in large storage tanks is mandatory. The thermal stability of single chemical waste streams can be assessedby the chemical structure. If the formula of the chemical substances contains unstablefunctional groups (explosophores or self-reactive functional groups) a more detailed investigationis required. In case of mixing different waste streams, an easy desktop method for a quick hazardassessment is the chemical reactivity matrix. Thermal safety testing methods in the safety lab areReaction Calorimetry (RC1), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermal Activity Monitor(TAM) and Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC) or Vent Sizing Package 2 (VSP2). Industrial heat confinement situations can be assessed by a systematic decision tree.