Dates: Jul 10, 2025
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Many organizations could be vulnerable to catastrophic events, but they have not taken sufficient and proper steps to identify and truly understand their chemical reactivity hazards. If these chemical reaction hazards are not identified early on, they cannot be properly managed later on.
Twenty-two years of serious chemical reaction incidents have caused 108 deaths as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Other serious consequences of these incidents include shelter-in-place orders for nearby communities and significant environmental damage. There is a serious need to improve reactive hazard management.
Read this newsletter by Georges Melhem, Ph.D., FAIChE, on what the common chemical reactivity testing methods are for both desired and undesired chemical reactions. The test data can be used to develop kinetic models for thermal stability and for pressure relief and vent containment design, as well as for process optimization. Topics include:
Bonus! This newsletter also includes access to the article, Reactive Systems Are Not Forgiving, by Georges Melhem, Ph.D., FAIChE. To ignore the potential for runaway reactions, or simply state that a runaway reaction is not credible, is irresponsible, extremely risky, and potentially very hazardous.
It’s easy to miss something if you’re not looking for it. Screening methods play an important role in cost-effective reactivity management programs.
Have a great and safe day.