A Portable Microreactor System to Synthesize Hydrogen Peroxide

This proposed STTR Phase I program addresses design, development, fabrication and testing of a safe, convenient and economical catalytic microreactor that is capable of generating vaporous hydrogen peroxide (VHP) on demand by direct synthesis of hydrogen and oxygen that could be generated by electrolysis of water aboard a portable hydrogen peroxide generator. Phase I will consist of two major and distinct tasks carried out in parallel: 1) design, development and fabrication of a microreactor, and 2) development of a suitable catalyst for the direct synthesis reaction in the vapor phase. The catalyst developed will be properly deposited/ loaded inside the channels of the microreactor. An experimental unit will then be built to carry out the microreactor performance tests and the results will be evaluated. The operating conditions will be optimized to achieve the best hydrogen peroxide yields and throughputs possible. At the end of the Phase I program an estimate of the size and cost of a large-scale unit to be built in Phase II will be developed. The program will also identify further research or research and development needs for improvement of the new process.