Abstract
Heat is generated during the synthesis and mixing process of chemical compounds due to a change in activation energy during the reaction. A runaway reaction occurs when sufficient heat is not removed during the heat control process within a reactor, rapidly increasing the temperature, reaction speed, and rate of heat generation inside the reactor. A risk assessment was executed using an RC-1 (Reaction Calorimeter) during Friedel-Crafts acylation. Friedel-Crafts acylation runs the risk of rapid heat generation during Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing; it was used to confirm the risk of a runaway reaction at each synthesis stage and during the mixing process. This study used experimental data to develop a safety efficiency improvement plan to control the risks of runaway and other exothermic reactions, which was implemented at the production site of a chemical plant.