Quantitative risk-based ranking of chemicals considering hazardous thermal reactions

In this study, a simplified kinetic model was developed for sulphide mineral ores for assessing thermal hazards and tested with Differential Scanning Calorimeter experiments using AKTS software. In addition, a methodology was developed for assessing the severity of thermal hazards associated based on the core parameters and measured responses such as the constituents and reactive interaction effects i.e. mineralogy, particle size distribution, and moisture content. The likelihood of thermal hazards was quantified using the core parameters of the global thermal reactions via probabilistic analysis while the severity of the hazards was evaluated on the strength of accompanied enthalpy of reactions. The associated risks were then determined as product of these probability and severity. Finally, a risk ranking method was proposed on a predefined scale which was used to rank and interpret the obtained results. The quantitative risk assessment of thermal hazards for self-heating sulphide containing mineral was thus assessed. It was observed that the ores were of medium risk of runaway reaction.