Reactive incompatibility of cumene hydroperoxide mixedwith alkaline solutions

Abstract

Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) is classified as a flammable hazard in NFPA 43B. Fires or explosions induced by thermal hazards ascribed to the unstable hydroperoxyl or peroxyl groups are often reported. This sequence studies is aimed at the decomposition phenomena associated with the reactive and incompatible characteristics of CHP mixed with alkaline solutions. Various alkalines were used for comparing the relative impact of bases and effects on concentrations. Exothermic onset temperatures and heats of decomposition of these incompatible mixtures were performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Comparisons of exothermic onset temperature, peak power, heat of decomposition, etc., were assessed to verify the severity of incompatible hazards in these systems. When mixed with a small amount of the hydroxides (in the production or storage of CHP), CHP will be more labile or unstable because of lower exothermic temperature. In addition, to elucidate the final products and propose mechanisms of the reaction of CHP mixed with alkaline solution, the analytical results were carried out by GC/MS and IR. The exhibited reactivity was complicated and significantly affected by the alkaline solutions. The reaction schemes have been proposed in this study. These results are especially important in process safety design for producing CHP and its related compounds, such as phenol, α-cumyl alcohol (CA), acetophenone (AP), and dicumyl peroxide (DCPO).