Standardization News

The proposed new standard, WK27880, Practice for Evaluation of Methods for Determination of Kinetic Parameters by Thermal Analysis, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E27.02 on Thermal Stability and Condensed Phases.

A proposed new standard being developed by ASTM International Committee E27 on Hazard Potential of Chemicals will provide needed reference materials for instruments, applications and software used for the evaluation of kinetic data used for hazard evaluation.

The proposed new standard, WK27880, Practice for Evaluation of Methods for Determination of Kinetic Parameters by Thermal Analysis, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E27.02 on Thermal Stability and Condensed Phases.

"Reference materials are used to verify that the results obtained by a standard, instrument or software are correct," says Roger Blaine, an E27 member and chairman of the task group developing WK27880. "In this case, the verification process is for a series of mathematical terms that describe how rapidly a chemical reaction generates heat (kinetic parameters). The rapid generation of heat is a major cause of fires and unexpected explosions in chemical processes."

Process hazard evaluators and safety compliance personnel will be the most likely users of an approved WK27880, along with developers of instruments, applications and software for kinetic evaluation.

All interested parties are invited to participate in the development of WK27880, particularly those who are knowledgeable in the study of kinetics involving thermal methods.

CONTACT Technical Information: Roger Blaine • Corvallis, Ore. • Phone: 302-559-6827 • E-mail: roger.l.blaine@gmail.com O ASTM Staff: Scott Orthey • Phone: 610-832-9730 • E-mail: sorthey@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: Nov. 15-17 • November Committee Week • Tampa, Fla.