Calorimetric study of the exothermic decomposition of dimethyl sulfoxide. Issue 4 (6th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brandes, B. Todd; Smith, Daniel K.
• Is Part Of: Process safety progress. Volume 35:Issue 4(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 374
• Page End: 391
• Publication Date: 2016-01-06
• Subjects: dimethyl sulfoxide -- autocatalytic -- calorimetry -- thermal -- DSC -- ARC; Chemical plants -- Management -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/prs.11802
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1066-8527

Abstract

Abstract : Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a widely used solvent often employed for a variety of organic syntheses. It is stable at room temperature, can dissolve many types of organic materials, and is miscible in water. However, upon heating in a closed system under conditions typically achievable in a commercial chemical plant, DMSO undergoes significantly exothermic and hazardous decomposition which could realistically lead to a pressure vessel explosion unless adequate protection layers were installed, possibly including a pressure relief system. This study provides calorimetry data from several apparatus and methods to characterize the decomposition to aid in assessing hazards and designing protection systems. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 35: 374–391, 2016