Phi-TEC I: A Bench-Top, High-Phi Factor, Adiabatic Calorimeter

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Phi-TEC I | Bench-top, high phi-factor, adiabatic calorimeter

The Phi-TEC I is an adiabatic calorimeter that enables the characterization of thermal runaway hazards during process development and scale-up. The Phi-TEC I replicates industrial (large volume) conditions on a lab-scale, enabling thermal runaway hazards to be characterized safely and efficiently.
Via direct sample temperature measurement and by rapidly responding to any thermal changes, the Phi-TEC I accurately tracks exothermic events and maintains adiabatic conditions. This adiabatic screening enables thermal events to be defined with the accurate characterization of the onset temperature (T_d) and facilitates the calculation of other key parameters, such as the rate of pressure change, the adiabatic temperature rise (∆T_ad,d), and the time to maximum rate (TMR_d).

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Rapid reactions

If there is a need to characterize especially rapid decompositions, the Phi-TEC I offers a high data-rate acquisition option, which provides higher resolution data on the rate of pressure

and temperature changes. When scaling up a process, accurate knowledge of an exothermic event is vital to ensure the magnitude of the thermal runaway risk is fully understood.

Adiabatic calorimetry

Large scale reactors lose very little of the heat generated in a reaction to the surroundings. This poses a potential hazard when operating at large scale, as that heat will be retained within the reactor. At best this will require plant cooling and at worst may trigger a thermal runaway.

The Phi-TEC I mimics the processes at large scale, while operating at laboratory volumes.

Characterizing the thermal runaway (4)

Secondary thermal runaway risk Providing a direct measurement of the sample temperature, coupled with a rapid response to thermal changes, the Phi-TEC I accurately tracks exothermic events and maintains adiabatic conditions.

Adiabatic screening of a process enables accurate characterization of the onset temperature (Td) and facilitates calculation of the time to maximum rate (TMRd), the adiabatic temperature rise (ΔTad,d) and the rate of pressure change. These key parameters can help describe the magnitude of the thermal runaway hazard.

Test Cells Type and Volume

Standard ARC-type & high Phi-factor test cells are available in Stainless Steel, Hastelloy, and glass.
Volume range 0.5 ml to 10 ml.

Temperature Control

Ambient to 500°C .
Optional: Low-temperature addition (starting at -20 °C or -40 °C dependant on oil circulator) for testing of highly unstable chemicals available.

High Pressure and Vacuum Systems

Pressure range 1 to 150 bar.
Reagent Addition
Optional: On specific test cell designs.

Stirring available

Indirect agitation with magnetic stirrer bar as standard; fixed stirring rate of 300 rpm

Intelligent Software Control and Analysis

labCONSOL software control enables regular data logging, multi-step recipes, parameter control, and feedback loops. The software adds a responsive intelligence to the Phi-TEC I system and still delivers an intuitive interface that needs only minimal training to run quickly.
Customizable standard plans allow for easy running of the system with automated heating, detection of gas generation, and safety steps.
Optional: High data rate acquisition available for characterizing extremely fast reactions (up to 10 000 Hz).

Safety Features

Automatic, user-configurable, shutdown procedures if a safety condition is exceeded to ensure user safety
Automatic hardware and software fail-safes are installed on every system
Optional: Safety release valve

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