Reactivity of Ethylene Oxide in Contact with Contaminants

EO is a very versatile compound, storing considerable energy in its ring structure. Its reactions proceed mainly via ring opening and are highly exothermic. Under appropriate conditions, it is known to undergo a variety of reactions, such as isomerization, polymerization, hydrolysis, combustion and decomposition.
Due to its very reactive characteristic and widely industrial applications, EO has been involved in a number of serious incidents: Doe Run 1962, Freeport 1974, Deer Park 1988, and Union Carbide Corporation’s Seadrift 1991 …The impacts may be severe in terms of death and injury to people, damage to physical property, and effects on the environment. For instance, the incident in the Union Carbide in 1991 caused one fatality, extensive damage to the plant with the property damage of up to 80 million dollars.

ffect of contamination is a considerable cause of EO incidents. The presence of trace impurities such as alkalis, acids, oxidizers, iron chlorides, iron oxides and aluminum may reduce the thermal stability of a nominally pure chemical and cause unexpected runaway reactions under normal process conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effects on EO of likely acid and base contaminants, such as EDTA, KOH, and ammonia.

his research will be focused on the activity of EO and some contaminants (KOH, aqueous ammonia, EDTA). Experiments will be conducted with the Automatic Pressure Tracking Adiabatic Calorimeter (APTAC). The data that will be measured by the APTAC include:

Important data curves: temperature profile, pressure profile
Curves of heat rate versus temperature, and pressure rate versus temperature profiles.
Some important parameters such as the onset temperature, maximum temperature, maximum pressure, self-heat rate at onset temperature, maximum self-heating rate, and maximum pressure rise rate

The data acquired and the shapes of the curves provide information about potential hazards posed by the reactions that occur in the system.
The data will also be used in the kinetic analysis of a runaway reaction and the design of safety relief valves as well.