(67c) Hazard Associated with Butadiene

Butadiene is a product of cracking with yield varying with feedstocks. Heavier feedstocks tend to have higher yields than light feedstocks. Butadiene follows the C4’s flow path and is recovered in the C4 product. It is a key component in the manufacturing of synthetic rubber. Butadiene is a reactive component, which with favorable conditions may accumulate in process units as rubber, crystalline or popcorn polymer. While accumulation of polymer may cause issues, the formation of popcorn polymer is the most hazardous due to the characteristics of the polymer that expands at high rates potentially resulting in vessel rupture. Butadiene could also react with NOx and form unstable NOx gums if allowed to travel and accumulate in the cold section of the chill train. This presentation provides and overview of butadiene chemistry and associated process safety risk.