Case Studies

Silicon Dust Characterization Testing for a Battery Manufacturer

A leading manufacturer and designer of battery electric vehicles, stationary Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and solar panels requested dust testing on silicon powder. This testing was critical to understand the potential hazards and ensure safe handling of this material across their diverse product lines. With these characteristics understood, specific preventions and protections could then be chosen. Read more

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