Evaluation of safety parameters of light alkenes by means of detailed kinetic models

The oxidation of light alkenes is the core of the modern chemical industry and a pivotal point for several environmental and safety considerations. However, few works have dealt with the prediction of fire and explosion parameters for the definition of process conditions, for the design and safe handling of such reactive substances. In this work, flammability parameters for light alkenes (ethylene, propylene and the three butylene isomers) have been calculated by adopting the detailed kinetic mechanisms of the University of California, San Diego, integrated with C4 reactions by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory mechanism. The new model has been adopted for the definition of flammability limits, adiabatic flame pressure and temperature, maximum rate of pressure rise, gas deflagration index (KG), auto-ignition temperature and minimum oxygen concentration. Flammability regions for nitrogen and carbon dioxide dilution have also been reported. © 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers