Utilities - Hydrogen Peroxide System
September 18, 2002

Introduction

Materials of Construction and System Design

Storage Tanks

The preferred material of construction for hydrogen peroxide storage tanks of all concentrations is 5254 aluminum.  Alternate materials of construction are 304L or 316L stainless steel.  All materials handling hydrogen peroxide will need to be cleaned and passivated to remove dust and dirt and to create an inert surface prior to being placed into service.  A solution of 30 to 50% nitric acid is used to passivate the surface of all equipment.

Piping Systems

Piping for hydrogen peroxide can be constructed of 304L or 316L stainless steel.  Aluminum piping (grades 1060 or 1100) is also acceptable.  Flanged connections are preferred over threaded connections.  Stainless steel is preferred over aluminum because stainless steel piping is more readily available, easier to weld and repair.

Piping should be designed to minimize the number of valves and thus avoid trapping hydrogen peroxide between valves.  Where hydrogen peroxide can be trapped between two valves, a pressure relief valve should be installed to excessive pressure build up in between the valves.  The discharge of the relief valve should not be directed to the storage tank because of the possibility of contaminating the hydrogen peroxide in the storage tank.

Gaskets for flanged connections should be PTFE.

Valves should be constructed of 304 or 316 stainless steel with PTFE packing.  Valves with an internal cavity such as ball valves should have the ball drilled on the upstream side to vent the cavity when the valve is closed.

Pumps

Pumps should be constructed of 304L or 316L stainless steel.

Centrifugal pumps should be either sealless or equipped with a mechanical seal of stainless steel with glass-filled PTFE and ceramic faces.  If a seal flush is required, hydrogen peroxide should be used.

Metering pumps should have PTFE diaphragms with the body constructed of stainless steel.