Runaway Reactions in Batch Reactors

Case histories of 263 incidents involving runaway reactions of the type A + B→ products, carried out in industrial batch reactors have been analysed on the basis of unit processes involved, initiating factors and type of industry. The case histories were drawn from Health and Safety Executive files, industrial records and the open literature. Although the data has no absolute statistical value, primarily because it is difficult to place such figures in the context of all relevant aspects of industrial practice, the figures are indicative of problem areas. The initiating factors are described and the analysis is exemplified with some case histories.