Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

An apparatus and process for producing hydrogen peroxide on an as-needed basis is disclosed. An oxidizing agent is generated for reaction with water to generate hydrogen peroxide.

1 . A hydrogen peroxide generator comprising: 
 an electrolyzer for generating an oxidizing agent stream having an inlet and an outlet for the generated oxidizing agent stream;    a hydrolyzer for hydrolyzing the oxidizing agent with water to generate a hydrolyzer stream comprising hydrogen peroxide and an oxidizable compound, and having an inlet in fluid communication with the electrolyzer outlet and an outlet for the hydrolyzer stream; and    a separator for separating the hydrogen peroxide and the oxidizable compound, and having an inlet in fluid communication with the hydrolyzer outlet and an outlet for a stream comprising hydrogen peroxide and an outlet for a stream comprising the oxidizable compound.    
   
   
       2 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the oxidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of persulfuric acid, inorganic persulfate salts, inorganic perchlorate compounds, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the oxidizable compound is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, inorganic sulfate salts, inorganic chlorate compounds, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the separator is an adsorber that preferentially adsorbs the oxidizable compound.  
   
   
       5 . The reactor of  claim 4  wherein the adsorber includes a polymeric adsorbent in sulfate form.  
   
   
       6 . The reactor of  claim 1  further comprising a hydrogen combustion unit.  
   
   
       7 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the separator comprises an air stripping unit.  
   
   
       8 . The reactor of  claim 7  further comprising a unit for dissolving the hydrogen peroxide in water and having an inlet in fluid communication with the air stripping outlet.  
   
   
       9 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the separator comprises a distillation unit.  
   
   
       10 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the separator is a membrane separation unit.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for generating an oxidizing compound in an appliance comprising: 
 an electrolyzer with an inlet for admitting water, an inlet for admitting a stream comprising an oxidizable compound, and an outlet for an electrolyzer stream comprising the oxidizing compound;    a separator with an inlet in fluid communication with the electrolyzer outlet, a product outlet for a product stream comprising the oxidizing compound, and a recycle outlet for a recycle stream comprising the oxidizable compound; and    a storage compartment for periodically holding the oxidizing compound with an inlet in fluid communication with the separator product outlet.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the oxidizing compound is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, perhydroxyl ion, perhydroxyl radical, hydroxyl radical, peroxide ion, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the oxidizable compound is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, inorganic sulfate salts, inorganic chlorate compounds, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the appliance is selected from the group consisting of washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, spas, pools, hot tubs, faucets, garbage disposals, air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, toilets, urinals, bidets, agricultural equipment, sanitizers, and food processing equipment.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the electrolyzer includes an air inlet port and at least one outlet port for gases generated.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a reactor having an inlet in fluid communication with the electrolyzer outlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the separator inlet.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the reactor is a hydrolyzing unit.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the separator is an adsorber.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the adsorber includes a backwash system.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the separator is an air stripping unit.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the separator is a distillation unit.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the separator is a membrane separation unit.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the storage compartment includes a control system for turning the electrolyzer on and off.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a condensation unit having an inlet in fluid communication with the product outlet of the separator.