Reaction calorimetry: Main types, simple theory, and application for kinetic study—A review

Abstract Reaction calorimetry is a powerful experimental method widely used for reaction hazard assessment in chemical engineering for chemical process design and in other fields. Currently, several types of reaction calorimeters are available, each with its own features. Many articles and several monographs have been published dealing with various aspects of reaction calorimetry, but it is difficult to find an overview of different types of instruments and the theoretical basis of reaction calorimetry in one review in a compact form. The purpose of this article is to fill this gap as much as possible and to help in understanding the principles of this useful experimental method and in choosing the type of instrument most suitable for the purposes of a particular study. The review concludes with some recommendations for the proper organization of an experiment in reaction calorimetry, with an emphasis on the kinetic study. The usefulness of kinetics based on reaction calorimetry data is illustrated by an example of using kinetics to design an industrial process.