Hydrogen Peroxide with Caustic in the Absence of Pulp • Dancing with a Dragon while Bleaching, 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference

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The energy density and decomposition characteristics of industrial strength hydrogen peroxide present unique safety hazards. When mixed with caustic (NaOH) an auto-accelerating reaction can lead to the generation of significant amounts of steam and oxygen. Based on reaction parameters estimated from experiments using typical pulp mill process conditions, a relatively simple kinetic model has been developed. Evaluation of the model results reveals that the peroxide-caustic system is extremely sensitive to caustic/peroxide ratio, transition metal contamination especially Fe3+ ions, and temperature. Small changes in initial conditions can result in a system becoming explosive. The model has been used to develop guidelines for the safer application of hydrogen peroxide in a mill setting.