8. Conclusion

The approach to thermal safety presented in this document is based on a scenario of cooling failure leading to thermal runaway. This scenario shows how the loss of control of a synthesis or desired reaction leads to a temperature level higher than the normal process temperature and can thus trigger a secondary reaction, such as decomposition. Consequently, a study of thermal safety will include not only the study of the synthesis reaction, but also that of possible secondary reactions, the MTSR concept making it possible to link the main reaction and the secondary reaction.

In our experience, the runaway scenario has proved to be a very effective means of communication in the dialogue between safety specialists and development or production chemists. If these methods are used early enough in process development, then the best chance exists of achieving a truly optimized...