Reliable detection of runaway reaction precursors in liquid phase reactions

A theoretical approach for early on‐line detection of runaway reactions based on temperature derivative estimates is described and shown to be feasible in the laboratory. On‐line process measurements were processed to yield smoothed derivative estimates and confidence intervals. These estimates were then compared to characteristics of potentially hazardous situations. If a match was sensed, preventive or emergency measures could be initiated. The problem lies in the tradeoff between earliest possible detection and false alarm avoidance.