Controlling Runaway Heat in Exothermic Chemical Reactions

  • Award:

    $25,000 USD

  • Challenge under evaluation

Challenge overview

ABSTRACT

This Challenge is looking for novel methods to control exotherm (runaway heat) caused by self-propagating Diels-Alder reactions in industrial settings.

This Theoretical Challenge requires only a written proposal.

OVERVIEW

Exothermic reactions can be challenging in chemical manufacturing because they require careful temperature control. Of special concern are exothermic chemical systems that operate using Diels-Alder (D-A) chemistry because they are less amenable to safety approaches developed for other exothermic reactions.

Methods to control runaway heat in the D-A system do exist, but they’re ineffective, disruptive, and costly. This Challenge is, therefore, looking for novel, more effective, less costly, and less disruptive safety approaches to control exotherm caused by self-propagating D-A reactions.  

This is a Theoretical Challenge that requires only a written proposal to be submitted. The Challenge award will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of the proposal by the Seeker.

To receive an award, the Solvers will not have to transfer their exclusive IP rights to the Seeker. Instead, Solvers will grant the Seeker a non-exclusive license to practice their solutions. 

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on July 17, 2023.

Late submissions will not be considered.

What is the Wazoku Crowd?

Imagine a world where any problem you have can be looked at by millions of expert, motivated eyes. The Wazoku Crowd makes this possible. With twenty years of experience in crowdsourcing, the Wazoku Crowd is the gold standard for open talent and external innovation solutions. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with the Wazoku Crowd to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

What is a Theoretical-Licensing Challenge?

A Wazoku Crowd Theoretical Challenge builds upon an idea but is not yet a proof of concept. A solution to a Theoretical Challenge will solidify the Solver’s concept with detailed descriptions, specifications and requirements necessary to bringing a good idea closer to becoming an actual product or service.

This Challenge is a Theoretical-Licensing Challenge, meaning that the Seeker is requesting non-exclusive rights to use the winning solution. Solvers that do not win retain the rights to their solution after the evaluation period is complete. The Seeker retains no rights to any IP not awarded.

Use the slider to explore how the Challenge process works:

Register

Review & Accept

Submit

Win

To start solving this Challenge, log in to the Challenge Center or register as a Solver

Visit the Wazoku Crowd Community to start the conversation