Catalytic direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide in a novel microstructured reactor

The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide was investigated in a bench-scale continuous process using a novel microstructured reactor. This plate-type reactor was developed to offer favorable hydrodynamic and mass transfer conditions. Supported Pd catalyst on activated carbon cloths was employed. The experiments were conducted with hydrogen and oxygen using methanol as a solvent. Effects of process conditions, e.g. gas composition, gas and liquid flow rates, pressure and amount and composition of catalyst were studied. The promising results and plans for further development of the reactor and process concept are discussed.