Chemical reaction process – guidance for SMEs

Citation

(2000), "Chemical reaction process – guidance for SMEs", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 29 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2000.12929fab.019

Chemical reaction process – guidance for SMEs

Chemical reaction process – guidance for SMEs

Keywords Health & Safety Executive, Health and safety, Publication, Chemical reactions

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a guidance booklet for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on designing and operating safe chemical reaction processes.

The new guidance is aimed at chemical manufacturers using batch and semi-batch processes (e.g. to produce resins, polymers, dyestuffs, pharmaceuticals and speciality chemicals). It provides information on assessing chemical reaction hazards for these processes and describes how to prevent and control the risk of a "thermal runaway". This occurs where the rate of heat generated by a reaction exceeds the rate of cooling available, causing loss of control and increases in temperature and pressure, leading, in the worst cases, to an explosion.

While such events are relatively rare in Britain, major accidents due to runaways, such as those at Bhopal, India and Seveso, Italy have shown the potential for serious effects, including multiple casualties.

The 76-page booklet, prepared by HSE's Technology Division, fills a gap between introductory guidance contained in an HSE free leaflet (INDG254) and the growing number of textbooks on this topic. It is aimed at those directly responsible for the development, design and operation of chemical plant and processes, particularly chemical process chemists and engineers in SMEs.

It sets out practical measures for designing, operating and modifying chemical reaction processes, emphasising precautions that can be taken at an early stage (e.g. design) to avoid hazards to workers and others who may be affected by such operations.

HSE consulted widely on a draft of the booklet, which received widespread industry support. The finished product was launched today at a conference organised by HSE in Warrington and attended by over 175 delegates. Inspectors from HSE's Technology Division gave an introduction to the booklet and the procedures it features while chemical industry speakers discussed methods for, and typical examples of, reaction hazard assessments.

The conference also heard presentations on HarsNet (Hazard Assessment of Highly Reactive Systems Thematic Network), a European Commission-funded project aimed at improving standards of assessing and controlling chemical reactions.

HarsNet, which comprises 29 partners (including HSE) representing ten European countries, aims to create a forum of universities, research centres and companies as a centre of excellence for thermal hazard assessment; to share experience in developing and using various techniques; and to recommend best practice and disseminate knowledge, particularly for SMEs, throughout the EU. Further information can be found on the HarsNet Web site at: www.harsnet.de

Copies of Designing and Operating Safe Chemical Reaction Processes (HSE rec HSG14a) are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: +44 (0) 1787 881165; Fax: +44 (0) 1787 313995; Web site: www.hsebooks.co.uk ISBN 0 7176 1051 9, price £12.50.

Details available from: HSE's InfoLine, HSE Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ. Tel: +44 (0) 8701 545500.