In situ generation of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

A device is disclosed for the generation of hydrogen peroxide. The device produces hydrogen peroxide on an as-needed basis through the use of electrolysis of water, wherein the hydrogen and oxygen are mixed in the electrolyzer, and the hydrogen and oxygen mixture in water are reacted in a reactor to produce hydrogen peroxide.

1 . A process for the production of hydrogen peroxide comprising the steps of: 
 flowing water over electrodes in a electrolyzer generating an aqueous product with hydrogen and oxygen dissolved therein; and    flowing the aqueous product over a reactor comprised of a catalyst on a support.    
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1  where the catalyst comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, Au, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the hydrogen peroxide is used for bleaching, disinfecting or oxidizing.  
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 1  using an apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a water inlet port and a hydrogen peroxide outlet port;    an electrolyzer disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the water inlet port for generating hydrogen and oxygen, wherein the electrolyzer comprises a plurality of electrodes separated by spacers and wherein the spacers separate the electrodes to form a gap of less than 400 micrometers; and    a reactor for producing hydrogen peroxide disposed within the housing and between the electrolyzer and the hydrogen peroxide outlet port.    
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the power to the electrolyzer generating an aqueous solution with hydrogen and oxygen is controlled by a controller.  
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the water flow is controlled by a controlled system to provide hydrogen peroxide on an intermittent basis.