Points to Know for Process Safety Testing - Sigma HSE

1.     Thermal Stability GAS &VAPOUR TESTING

The thermal stability of all materials exposed to elevated temperatures must be known to ensure safe handling conditions. This includes raw materials, intermediates (including reaction mixtures) and final products

The range of tests include: -

Air over layer - A test in which pre-heated air is circulated over the sample during a temperature ramped or isothermal test. This test specifically simulates the tops of spray dryers, flash dryers or conditions where thin layers exist

Bulk Powder(diffusion Cell) - The bulk powder diffusion cell test is conducted to establish the onset temperature of exothermic activity of a material when exposed to elevated atmospheric temperatures.

Aerated Cell - A test in which air is forced through the sample during a temperature ramped or isothermal test. This test simulates fluid bed drying and tumble type dryers

2.     ELECTROSTATIC TESTING

Static electricity is ubiquitous and can threaten the safety of your staff and operations. Electrostatic discharges pose fire and explosion risks, while charged components can complicate handling or bring production to a halt. Sometimes companies are unaware that static is behind these issues. Knowing how static electricity affects your process is the first step towards safety and progress.

The range of Electrostatic tests includes: -

Powder volume Resistivity- The test is performed at two controlled relative humidity conditions, an upper humidity - 50% and a lower humidity - 15%.

Charge relaxation time for powders, bags, liners etc.

Volume and surface Resistivity for bags, liner and gloves

Liquid Conductivity- The test is conducted to establish whether a liquid will allow electrical charge to migrate through it or not and therefore its ability to accumulate and retain charge

3.     CHEMICAL REACTION HAZARDS TESTING

When working with any manufacturing process it is always necessary to establish the hazards associated with its operation.The understanding of chemical reactions and material reactivity is a critical element of safe processing as exothermic chemical processes are abundant in manufacturing. Often these reactions are inherent in the transformation being undertaken on other occasions these may be unintended reactions which are not part of your processing plan.

Reactive chemical testing includes-

Reaction Calorimetry (RC1)Quantity & rate of heat from chemical reaction hazard, thermodynamic and kinetic data can be obtained from RC1

Accelerated Rate Calorimetry (ARC)Thermal runaway reactions in a plant reactor due to loss of heat transfer are simulated using the ARC instrument.

Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)Kinetic and thermodynamic data for undesired reactions under worst case conditions.

4.     TRANSPORTATION CLASSIFICATION TESTING (UN / ADR / CLP)

In the interest of public safety, transportation regulations from the UN and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) require the classification of certain types of dangerous goods. They also define appropriate tests and procedures to facilitate this classification. If these chemical substances are not properly identified and packaged for safe transport, they can pose a threat to human lives and/or the environment

Our testing of dangerous goods for transport is based on the UN classification system and includes the full suite of recommended methods and procedures. These include

Flammability of Solids (Burning Rate) – UN Test N.1

      Oxidising Solids  – UN Test O.1