What hazard does polymerization pose in storage?

• A. It neutralizes acids in storage.
• B. It prevents any heat generation.
• C. Exothermic self-accelerating growth that can runaway if inhibitors are depleted or cooling is inadequate.
• D. It causes a decrease in viscosity and cooler temperatures.

Answer: (C)

Polymerization in storage is dangerous because many monomers can start reacting and form polymers on their own, and this process releases heat. When the reaction begins, it can accelerate itself: more heat speeds up the reaction, which releases more heat, and so on. If inhibitors that slow or stop the reaction are depleted or cooling systems aren’t able to remove the heat, this self-accelerating, exothermic growth can runaway. That can raise temperature and pressure inside a storage vessel, potentially leading to vessel failure, fires, or explosions. So the key hazard is an exothermic, self-accelerating process that can spiral out of control if heat removal is inadequate or inhibitors are used up.