Predicting the Autoaccelerating Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition Rate after Mixing with Sodium Hydroxide

Abstract

Due to the large amount of inherent chemical energy, implementation of hydrogen peroxide pulp bleaching requires a high level of safety design and process review. Even with safety controls, in-place accidents have occurred at kraft pulp bleaching facilities. Using a combination of experiments and chemical engineering analysis, we present a validated model of hydrogen peroxide decomposition under alkaline conditions that are typically found in kraft pulp bleaching processes. Using the model, we then calculated several characteristic parameters required to determine the criticality class and control system safety integrity level (SIL) for an industrial-scale bleaching process. When designed for 10 wt % hydrogen peroxide, pulp bleaching systems are inherently safe as long as it is used in a process with adequately sized pressure relief. Process designs using greater than 10 wt % hydrogen peroxide require controls with SIL 4, which is the highest level of control. This level is required for processes that present the most risk and have the most severe consequences. Regardless of the hydrogen peroxide concentration, processes without adequately sized pressure relief should never be considered safe. Finally, both the experimental and model results show the dramatic acceleration of hydrogen peroxide decomposition by iron. Because membrane-grade sodium hydroxide often has an order of magnitude lower concentration of iron than diaphragm-grade sodium hydroxide, choosing membrane-grade results in reduction in potential hazard.

Compatibility Study between 50% H2O2/H2SO4 Solution and Some Common Organic Solvents

“…The severe explosion was caused by the remaining copper chloride (CuCl 2 ) in the compartment, which catalyzed the violent decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The influence of heavy metal ions on the thermal explosion of hydrogen peroxide was also verified by Eto and Wu. , Besides, several scholars − have also systematically investigated the catalytic effect of organic peroxides in the strong acid and alkali environment.…”

Antimicrobial activity of safe concentrations of ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and triethylene glycol in air and surfaces

“…The slightly acidic pH 4,5 of the solution we used could inuence the stability of the molecule in air. 56,[61][62][63][64] Thus, alkaline solutions promote decomposition of H 2 O 2 due to the increase of hydroxyl anions in solution, or even due to the deprotonation of H 2 O 2 itself. Another factor that it should be considered is high temperature, which could enhance H 2 O 2 degradation.…”

Introducing the I&ECR Virtual Collection of Industrial and Industrially Relevant Research (2022–2023)

“…Due to the importance of catalysis within industry, the Kinetics, Catalysis and Reaction Engineering topic area has historically been one of the largest areas within I&ECR . In the present collection, industrial researchers performed studies ranging from the post-synthesis modification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), to hydrogenation of CO 2 to light olefins (recognized with a May 2023 cover), studies on the kinetics of H 2 S adsorption in monoethanolamine (MEA), the regeneration of Pd/Al 2 O 3 electrochemical catalysts, production of diacrylate monomers by transesterification (recognized with a December 2022 cover), the evolution of coke within beta zeolite catalysts during catalytic cracking, the relationship of fluoropolymer product quality and production efficiency, novel catalysts for polyisobutenyl succinic anhydride synthesis, a new activation procedure for Ziegler–Natta catalysts, a kinetics study related to safety regarding the decomposition of H 2 O 2 , and a study from Dow highlighting the conversion of syngas to olefins, featuring two researchers from the 2022 Class of Influential Researchers …”