The numerous challenges associated with scaling-up chemical processes are compounded when the materials being manufactured are explosives. Dangerous chemical processing incidents are unacceptable and the industry continues to develop best practices for eliminating the risks associated with scale-up. When scaling-up explosive compounds, or any chemical compound, a full understanding of the chemical process is critical, in order to establish safe operating criteria, optimize and control development and scale-up.
In situ measurement is critical for safe and effective scale-up. By using RC1e™ reaction calorimetry and in situ ReactIR™ Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) reaction monitoring and analysis, scientists are able to improve process safety while safeguarding their own safety. These enabling tools and technologies quickly and efficiently improve synthesis routes to milligram or kilogram energetic material synthesis.
The RC1e™ reaction calorimeter with RTCal™ (real-time calorimetry) technology is an excellent tool for the study and understanding of energetic reactions as it eliminates the long hold periods and requirements necessary to insert a heater into the reaction mixture. Energetic materials are more sensitive to thermal input and usually result in unstable reaction mixtures. In addition, iC Safety™ software automates the calculation of thermal safety parameters that are essential for the safe design and scale-up of chemical reactions. Based on the thermodynamic information provided by the RC1e™ reaction calorimeter, iC Safety™ calculates and reports the relevant parameters for thermal risk assessment of the process under study.