Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide at elevated temperatures

Technical Report · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7172407

Lin, C C; Smith, F R ^[1]

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1. General Electric Co., San Jose, CA (USA). Nuclear Energy Div.

Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in high-purity water has been measured at temperatures ranging from 100 to 280{degree}C in a laboratory test loop. A first-order decomposition kinetics has been observed in all cases, but the decomposition rates were found to vary widely, depending on the material used in the reaction chamber. In a 1/4 inch OD stainless steel tubing, the decomposition rate constant is estimated at 0.3 sec{sup {minus}1} at 280{degree}C and the activation energy is 15 Kcal/mol. This decomposition rate is approximately 100 times faster than that observed in a Teflon tubing. The variation of decomposition rate in different reaction chambers is attributed to the heterogeneous catalytic effects. Hydrogen peroxide is believed to decompose through free radical reactions involving a charge transfer process on material surfaces. It is also observed that there is some, but very little evidence of reaction between H{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in high-purity water at temperatures up to 280{degree}C. Copper ions are found to significantly enhance the H{sub 2}O{sub 2} decomposition rate and catalyze the reaction between H{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. The effects of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} on the electrochemical potentials (ECP) of stainless steel are also investigated (reported separately). Although the exact mechanism is not clear, the increase of ECP by H{sub 2}O{sub 2} may be easily explained by the charge transfer process on stainless steel surfaces which provide the catalytic media for the H{sub 2}O{sub 2} decomposition. Application of the test results obtained in this program in the water radiolysis model calculation for BWR hydrogen water chemistry is also discussed. 46 refs., 29 figs., 5 tabs.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); General Electric Co., San Jose, CA (USA). Nuclear Energy Div.
• Sponsoring Organization: EPRI
• OSTI ID: 7172407
• Report Number(s): EPRI-NP-6733
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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37 INORGANIC
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BWR TYPE REACTORS
WATER CHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
DECOMPOSITION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
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REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
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KINETICS
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OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PEROXIDES
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