Incompatible reaction evaluation and accident investigation of various acids in chemical industries

This article covers the incompatible properties of nitric acid (HNO 3 ) with formic acid (CH 2 O 2 ), and more generally with various acids such as sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and acetic acid (C 2 H 4 O 2 ). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to determine the thermal hazard such as heat of decomposition (Δ H d ), exothermic onset temperature ( T 0 ), etc., in various acids. T 0 of HNO 3 and CH 2 O 2 were determined as 50 °C using DSC. Thus it has been observed that HNO 3 mixed with CH 2 O 2 should be prohibited during transportation, storage, and use. And more generally, process safety engineers and operator must take care to handle tanker and storage tank of typical acids in the transportation, storage, and manufacturing process. It is clear that there exists a need to follow and enforce in the chemical industries safety data sheets, globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals of United Nations (UN), education of safety and health, emergency response system, and process safety management. It is the aim of the present study concerning HNO 3 with various acids.