INTRODUCTION

History

Hydrogen Peroxide was first identified and isolated by the scientist Louis
Jacques Thenard in 1818. He achieved this when he was burning barium
salts to make barium peroxide. He noticed that when he put the barium
peroxide in water to dissolve, hydrogen peroxide was produced. He
improved on this method over the years and his was the most common
way of producing hydrogen peroxide until the mid-twentieth century.

"It was believed for many years that hydrogen peroxide was an unstable molecule as all attempts
to separate it from water failed." It wasn't until 1894 that 100% hydrogen peroxide was extracted
from water by the scientist Richard Wolffenstein, using a process called vacuum distillation.

*vacuum distillation - distillation of a liquid under reduced pressure, enabling it to boil at a lower
temperature than normal

The correct formula of HOOH (H2O2) was first proved by Petre Melinkishvili.

Hydrogen peroxide is also present in rainwater. It has long been the earth's way of sterilising
itself.

Pure hydrogen peroxide was developed as a rocket fuel, and is still used as such today despite a
number of accidents.

*The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide liberates oxygen and heat; this can be dangerous, as
spilling high-concentration hydrogen peroxide on a flammable substance can cause an immediate
fire.

Theoretical Background

Hydrogen peroxide, (H2O2), a colourless liquid usually produced as aqueous solutions of various
strengths, used principally for bleaching cotton and other textiles and wood pulp, in the
manufacture of other chemicals, as a rocket propellant, and for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.
Solutions containing more than about 8 percent hydrogen peroxide are corrosive to the skin.

Hydrogen Peroxide is also known as: Hydroperoxide, Oxydol, Perhydrol, and Superoxol.
Structure:

Decomposition:

2H2O2 2H2O + O2(g)

INDUSTRY APPLICABLE TO

The bleaching properties of hydrogen peroxide are used in many industries. Perhaps its most
familiar day-to-day use is in proprietary products used in washing clothes.

While its use in detergents accounts for large quantities of hydrogen peroxide, most is used in
solution to bleach paper (increasing its brightness), wood pulp and fabrics.

 Laundry Industry

Hydrogen Peroxide is used principally as bleach.

The primary use of hydrogen peroxide for laundry is to

brighten clothes and remove stains from your laundry.

You can use this product as a substitute for chlorine bleach

to whiten your clothes. It is itself an oxygen bleach.

The color safe bleach is comprised mainly of hydrogen

peroxide, along with some additional additives such as
brighteners.

 Medical Industry

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic used on the skin to prevent

infection of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It may also be used as a
mouth rinse to help remove mucus or to relieve minor mouth
irritation (e.g., due to canker/cold sores, gingivitis). This product
works by releasing oxygen when it is applied to the affected area. The release of oxygen causes
foaming, which helps to remove dead skin and clean the area.

It kills disease organisms by oxidation! For this reason, Hydrogen peroxide is considered the
world’s safest all natural effective sanitizer.

 Pharmaceutical Industry

Hydrogen peroxide is widely used in pharmaceutical applications for its disinfectant properties.
Healthcare applications include the disinfection of dental and surgical instruments as well as
contact lenses. Personal care products include hair bleaching and hair colorants, teeth bleaching
lotions, pastes and mouthwash.

For these applications, hydrogen peroxide is used in diluted solutions : 3% to 12% of hydrogen
peroxide.

It is also used to sterilize petri dishes and other apparatus and materials used in the
pharmaceutical industry.

 Aeronautical Industry

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) has been used as rocket

propellant, but can also be used to run automobiles.

It is "burned" in jets and other devices by catalytic

decomposition.

MAJOR RAW MATERIALS

When molecular hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) are combined and allowed to react together,
energy is released and the molecules of hydrogen and oxygen can combine to form either water
or hydrogen peroxide.

 Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic, tasteless, highly flammable
diatomic gas with the molecular formula H2.

 Oxygen

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a family of oxygen-derived free

radicals that are produced in mammalian cells under normal and pathologic
conditions. Many ROS, such as the superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen
 peroxide (H2O2), act within blood vessels, altering mechanisms mediating
mechanical signal transduction and autoregulation of cerebral blood flow.

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

The scale of manufacture and use of hydrogen peroxide has increased markedly because of its
increase in application in the industry.

From Metallic Peroxides

For the preparation of hydrogen peroxide in quantity, use is generally made of the metallic
peroxides. Sodium peroxide reacts with dilute mineral acids producing hydrogen peroxide, but
the considerable solubility of sodium salts renders it difficult to obtain a pure solution of the
substance except by distillation. Potassium hydrogen tartrate and potassium fluosilicate are
sparingly soluble substances, so that dilute aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide may be
prepared by treating potassium peroxide with dilute solutions of tartaric acid or hydrofluosilicic
acid. Barium peroxide, however, is the substance commonly employed.

Some of the earlier processes depending on the use of barium peroxide were inconveniently
cumbrous. Thus Thenard, early in the nineteenth century, recommended a method of which the
following description is merely an outline, many details being omitted. Powdered barium
peroxide was dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid and the barium then precipitated by the
careful addition of sulfuric acid. The resulting solution, containing hydrogen peroxide and
hydrochloric acid, together with impurities from the barium peroxide and probably a little
sulfuric acid, was treated with a little barium hydroxide solution or barium peroxide emulsion
when any heavy metals were precipitated at the same time as the sulfuric acid; by the artifice of
previously introducing a little phosphoric acid, any manganese or iron could be simultaneously
removed as their respective phosphates, whereas, if allowed to remain, they would have caused
rapid decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide. After this treatment the solution contained only
hydrogen peroxide and barium chloride, the latter of which was removed by conversion with
silver sulfate into silver chloride and barium sulfate. The clear solution of hydrogen peroxide
thus obtained possessed a high degree of purity and was finally concentrated in a vacuum over
sulfuric acid.

The disadvantage attaching to the direct conversion of barium peroxide into an insoluble salt by
treatment with such an acid as sulfuric or carbonic acid, lies in the sparing solubility of the first-
named substance which causes the reaction to be incomplete. This difficulty can be remedied by
previous prolonged agitation of the anhydrous barium peroxide with water, by which treatment it
becomes converted into the hydrated and more reactive compound BaO2.8H2O. This readily
yields dilute solutions of hydrogen peroxide when treated with aqueous sulfuric, hydrofluoric,
hydrofluosilicic, phosphoric, or carbonic acid. In the case of the last-named acid, it is important
to use an excess.

BaO2 + H2SO4 = BaSO4 + H2O2.

The resulting solution will contain saline impurities such as salts of iron and manganese derived
from the barium peroxide. These can be removed by the addition of a little phosphoric acid
followed by neutralization with barium hydroxide solution when the metals are precipitated as
phosphates. If necessary, further addition of barium hydroxide may be made in order to
precipitate the hydrogen peroxide as pure barium peroxide, which on treatment with the correct
quantity of dilute sulfuric acid will give a pure solution of hydrogen peroxide.

Purification from mineral impurities can also be effected by extracting the impure solution with
ether in which hydrogen peroxide is very soluble, although less so than in water. The value of the
process is somewhat discounted by the possibility of formation of organic peroxidic compounds
which may give rise to violent explosions during the distillation of the ether. Dilute aqueous
solutions may be subsequently obtained by merely shaking the ethereal solution with pure water.

From Per-Acids

Another process suited to the economical preparation of hydrogen peroxide is based on the
decomposition of permonosulfuric acid under the influence of water. The acid, prepared by the
electrolysis of sulfuric acid or by the interaction of potassium persulfate and sulfuric acid,
undergoes gradual hydrolysis according to the equation

H2SO5 + H2O ⇔ H2SO4 + H2O2.

The hydrogen peroxide can be separated by distillation under reduced pressure.

The use of other per-acid salts such as percarbonates and perborates has been suggested for a
similar purpose, as also has the direct treatment of ammonium persulfate with steam.

From Autoxidation Processes

The slow oxidation of metals, such as zinc or cadmium, especially in the form of their amalgams,
in the presence of water, has also been suggested as a basis for an industrial preparation of
hydrogen peroxide.

INDUSTRY APPLICABLE TO

aHP Technology (aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide)

Our revolutionary no-touch automated rooms disinfection technology aHP (aerosolized

Hydrogen Peroxide), greatly improves the performance of your program against HAIs.

Surface contamination in hospitals is involved in the transmission of pathogens in a proportion of

healthcare-associated infections. Admission to a room previously occupied by a patient
colonized or infected with certain nosocomial pathogens increases the risk of acquisition by
subsequent occupants. Thus, there is a need to improve terminal disinfection of these patient
rooms. Conventional disinfection methods may be limited by reliance on the operator to ensure
appropriate selection, formulation, distribution and contact time of the agent. Saniswiss aHP
technology solves this problematic in a very simple way. Unlike other conventional foggers,
Saniswiss aHP technology offers dry-surfaces and quick recovery of the room after use. Thanks
to low level of boosted H2O2 no need any more to seal the door or remove expensive medical
devices before starting the aerosolization. An ingenious ventury-system allows powerful cyclone
dispensing the antimicrobial on every corners and surfaces of the room. At the same time, micro-
particles of size approaching 4µ ensures a uniform sedimentation on every surfaces.

Saniswiss revolutionary aHP technology features the development of our Saniswiss automates
aHP.

bHP technology (boosted Hydrogen Peroxide)

Our revolutionary bHP technology (boosted Hydrogen Peroxide) features a new antimicrobial
generation. It boosts hydrogen peroxide molecules, thanks to a novel biotechnological process.

New sources of the infection emerge whereas germs resistance increases, enhancing the sanitary
challenges. Although science makes progresses in the fight against germs, by improving
antibiotics and antimicrobial efficiency, most of the active chemical molecules used to fight
germs are themselves creating environmental problems and threats to our health and
communities, whereas germs become resistant to certain antibiotics (methicillin, vancomycin,
etc.). From now on, it is essential to prevent differently by shifting to clean technologies
respecting health, preferably CLP free and protecting our environment. Saniswiss bHP
technology solves this issue. Effective against a wide range of pathogen, our bHP technology is
easy to use and odorless. It is a serious alternative to classical-chemical disinfectants which puts
the environment and health at the heart of the fight against healthcare-associated infections.
Oxidative, it creates no germs resistance, while beeing effective against superbugs MDR i.e.
VRE, MRSA, Clostridium difficile, Acinetobacter, etc. Thanks to Saniswiss bHP technology no
more need to choose an eco-friendly solution by compromising its efficacy.
Saniswiss bHP technology is a clean and modern alternative surpassing the standards of
efficiency, including against superbugs MDR.

bHPa technology (boosted Hydrogen Peroxyacetic)

Our revolutionary bHPa technology (boosted Hydrogen Peroxyacetic) features a new

antimicrobial generation. It boosts Hydrogen Peroxide mixed together with peroxyacetic acid
molecules, thanks to a novel biotechnological process.

New sources of the infection emerge whereas germs resistance increases, enhancing the sanitary
challenges. Although science make progresses in the fight against germs, by improving
antibiotics and antimicrobial efficiency, most of the active chemical molecules used to fight
germs are themselves creating environmental problems and threats to our health and
communities, whereas germs becomes resistant to certain antibiotics (methicillin, vancomycin,
etc.). From now on, it is essential to prevent differently by shifting to clean technologies
respecting health, preferably CLP free and protecting our environment. Saniswiss bHPa
technology solves this issue. Effective against a wide range of pathogens, our bHPa technology
is easy to use and odorless. It is a serious alternative to classical-chemical disinfectants which
puts the environment and health at the heart of the fight against healthcare-associated infections.
Oxidative, it creates no germs resistance, while being effective against superbugs MDR, i.e.
VRE, MRSA, Clostridium difficile, Acinetobacter, etc. Thanks to Saniswiss bHPa technology no
more need to choose an eco-friendly solution by compromising its efficacy.

Saniswiss bHPa technology is a clean and modern alternative surpassing the standards of
efficiency, including against superbugs MDR.

The HPPO Technology

HPPO stands for Hydrogen Peroxide to Propylene Oxide and is the result of a joint development
between ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions (former ThyssenKrupp Uhde) and Evonik
Industries, starting in the year 2000.

In the HPPO process hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is used as the oxidizing agent to oxidize
propylene to propylene oxide (PO) with only water as a by-product. The catalyst system utilized
is based on a specifically developed and custom tailored titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) from
Evonik.

HPPO Technology - Benefits

Co-product free
Specially designed catalyst by Evonik

Lower investment costs

Efficient raw material consumption

The characteristics of the process are outstanding; it is more environmentally friendly than other
competing technologies and does not produce any significant co-products besides water.
Additionally the HPPO process comes with a considerably lower investment volume resulting in
higher profitability than with a conventional production process for propylene oxide.

Propylene oxide is mainly used to produce polyurethane precursors, an attractive market which
will grow outpaced GDP benefiting from several mega trends such as resource efficiency and
globalization. It is used predominantly to make the polyurethane intermediates that are used in
the manufacture of products such as upholstery for car seats and furniture or insulation material
for the construction and refrigeration industry.

The world's first industrial-scale HPPO plant, licensed jointly by Evonik Industries and
ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions, was built by SKC in Ulsan, South Korea, it has been in
successful operation since 2008, starting back then with an annual output of 100,000 metric tons
of propylene oxide. The capacity of this first of its kind HPPO plant was even already increased
to 130,000 metric tons of propylene oxide per year.

SKC uses the capacity for further processing downstream and supplies as well the propylene
oxide produced by the innovative HPPO process to the markets of Korea and its neighboring
countries. H2O2 in Ulsan is directly "over the fence" delivered to the HPPO plant.

REFERENCES

http://www.saniswiss.com/en/innovations/#ahp-technology-aerosolized-hydrogen-peroxide

http://h2o2.evonik.com/product/h2o2/en/Pages/hppo-technology.aspx

http://oxygen.atomistry.com/hydrogen_peroxide_synthesis.html
Questions:

1. It is distillation of a liquid under reduced pressure, enabling it to boil at a lower temperature

than normal.

a. vacuum distillation c.

b. nonvacuum distillation

2. The slow oxidation of metals, such as ________ or _________, especially in the form of their
amalgams, in the presence of water, has also been suggested as a basis for an industrial
preparation of hydrogen peroxide.

a. zinc, chlorine c. zinc, cadmium

b. sodium, cadmium d. sodium, barium