Experimental and Theoretical Performance of High-Pressure Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyst Beds

A small silver-screen hydrogen peroxide catalyst bed was developed to study the effect of high operating pressures on the performance of the device. The catalyst bed was designed for a nominal mass flow rate of 90 wt % hydrogen peroxide of 0.32 lbm/s (0.145 k g/s) corresponding to a bed loading of 0.4 lbm/s . in(2) (0.03 kg/s . cm(2)). Twelve separate tests were conducted at chamber pressures ranging from 1000 to 4000 psia (69 to 276 bar), and a companion analysis was developed to assess the results and observed trends. Results indicate that the catalyst bed could be operated with high decomposition efficiencies, low pressure drop, and rapid start transients at bed loadings up to three times the conventionally accepted value of 0.4 lbm/s . in(2) (0.03 k g/s . cm(2)). The thermal and pressure profiles within the catalyst bed were also measured, and the real gas implications of operations at high pressures were also assessed.