Case Studies

Evaluate the Thermal Behavior of Sodium-Ion Batteries

A U.S. renewable energy manufacturer needed to evaluate a sodium-ion battery cell’s thermal behavior under conditions that closely mimic real-world thermal confinement, such as those found inside battery packs or battery energy storage systems (BESS). Failure of these batteries could result in performance and safety concerns, such as capacity fade, overheating, release of toxic gases, and even fire. Read more

Stability Analysis with New Isometrics

A global R&D specialty and intermediate chemical manufacturer serving a broad range of industries faced a critical safety concern at their facility after installing a new piping layout for their xylene salt products. The client needed to know the risks and how the altered piping configuration impacted the performance and reliability of their essential safety systems. Xylene is a hazardous, highly flammable liquid and vapor that poses a significant fire and explosion risk. Read more

Dynamic Reactive Relief Modeling Using ARC Testing Results

A midsized chemical manufacturing company, which serves the healthcare, personal care, home care, infrastructure, lubricants, and paper industries, needed a comprehensive evaluation of their pressure relief devices and unprotected equipment, including one reactive reactor system. They needed a determination of the kinetics of the main reaction and any side reactions that may occur inside the reactor during a runaway reaction. Read more

Dust Hazard Analyses for a Food Manufacturer

An international food manufacturer needed Dust Hazard Analyses (DHAs) facilitated within an accelerated timeframe for over a dozen of their facilities across the U.S. to meet NFPA inspector requirements. DHAs are now required according to NFPA 652, a standard that applies to any facility handling combustible dust or combustible particulate solids. Our client needed someone with deep expertise in evaluating equipment for operations in the food industry. This included solids loading and unloading, conveying, drying, mixing and blending, bulk storage, milling and grinding, and dust collection. Read more

Process Hazard Analysis for a Food Packaging Manufacturer

During a Verified Pharmacy Program (VPP) inspection, a potential combustible dust hazard was found at a food packaging manufacturer. When the facility was given a quote for millions of dollars in expensive explosion protection equipment, they realized a more accurately defined risk analysis of their operations was needed. Read more

Combustible Dust Emergency Relief System Evaluation

A global manufacturer of specialty minerals and fertilizers was evaluating starch, a new product to their facility, which contained combustible dust. The client wanted to ensure full protection for their equipment while processing this new material. In accordance with the prescriptive measures of NFPA 654, all equipment handling combustible dusts should be provided with explosion protection. Because their facility already had existing equipment, there were no practical means for reducing oxidant concentrations, and diluting the combustible dust product was not an option. Deflagration venting per NFPA 68 was the best option for explosion protection.