Abstract
This report summarizes production, properties and handling of hydrogen peroxide, including its application as bleaching agent for pulp and paper industry.
The demand of hydrogen peroxide in Japan has been remained almost flat for several years since its demand for pulp and paper industry has not significantly grown recently. On the other hand its demand for industrial use has been increasing because of considerable consumption for semi-conductors.
In foreign countries the consumption of hydrogen peroxide for pulp and paper industry exceeds 50% of its total demand. Bleaching sequence has been changing to ECF, TCF and furthermore there is a trend toward TEF (Total Effluent Free), i.e. totally enclosed system of effluent from pulp and paper mills. Status of such development varies from one country to another. In Northern Europe these movements have been remarkably developing, and there are many mills those who have employed such system for actual operation.
Bleaching process for BKP has been moving to the system free of chlorine. The tendency to convert O, C and H to P, Paa, Z, PO, Paad, CA (Caro's acid) is forecasted with higher probability and has been the target for process development.
Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to water and oxygen, which means this chemical to be one of extremely environmentally sound bleaching agents for pulp and paper industry.
