Process Safety

No process is green if it is not safe. This is indicated in two of the twelve principles of green chemistry: “less hazardous syntheses” and “inherently benign chemistry for accident prevention”.[1] The prevention of chemical accidents is a prerequisite for any scale-up, first of all to protect the chemists themselves, but also the population around, and the environment. The aim of this module is to help chemists to build awareness on Process Safety. The first lesson is dedicated to chemists in universities: how to work safely in the lab. The second lesson shows the structure of a risk analysis before a scale-up in the Kilolab or in the pilot plant.  The third lesson describes the calorimetric process safety studies. 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this module you should:

• Understand GHS symbols and hazard statements;
• Understand basic calorimetric experiments;
• Know the fundamental calorimetric formulae;
• Be aware of strategies that are employed to ensure process safety during scale-up of reactions;

 And be able to:

• Analyse a Differential Scanning Calorimetry graph;
• Read a thermogram;
• Identify thermal hazards;
• Make a risk analysis before a scale-up.