Process for producing hydrogen peroxide by direct synthesis

US6117409A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Degussa-Huels AG · DE

Inventors

• Birgit Bertsch-Frank · Rheinfelden (Baden), DE
• Torsten Balduf · Pfungstadt, DE
• Catrin Becker-Balfanz · Frankfurt, DE
• Ina Hemme · Hanau, DE
• Jurgen Rollmann · Pflaumheim, DE
• Rudiger Schutte · Scheinfeld, DE
• Werner Wildner · Alzenau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 12, 1999
• Grant date: Sep 12, 2000
• Expiry date: Apr 12, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B15/029
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is produced by direct synthesis from hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. According to the invention, a gas mixture comprising H.sub.2 and O.sub.2, essentially saturated or supersaturated with water (=containing fog) is fed into a reactor containing the catalyst. The volume ratio of the gas mixture fed in (standard liters per hour) to liquid removed (liters per hour) is adjusted to a value equal to or greater than 15,000, especially 20,000 to 50,000, and the gas mixture leaving the reactor is recycled after replenishment with H.sub.2, O.sub.2, and H.sub.2 O vapor. Solutions with high H.sub.2 O.sub.2 concentration can be obtained according to the invention without additional concentration.