Improvements in the Process of Preparing Peroxide of Hydrogen, and other Peroxides.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1899 -Accepted, 9th Dec.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process of Preparing Peroxide of Hydrogen, and
other Peroxides.
A communication to me from THEODOR DRESCHER, of Rothenburger-Strasse 30,
Görlitz, Silesia, in the Empire of Germany, Chemist.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Chartered Patent
Agents and Engineers, of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, that is to say:-
The manufacture of peroxide of hydrogen is carried out by rendering soluble
peroxide of barium by means of an acid, whereby as a product combinations
of barytes are obtained, which, according to the nature of the acid employed,
are more or less soluble, or are completely insoluble in water.
By using acids which form easily soluble combinations of barytes, as for
instance hydrochloric acid, a product will be obtained the great amount of
chloride of barium in which is inconvenient and dangerous. Consequently
the latter has always to be precipitated by suitable means, whereby however
the combinations of chloride still remaining in the solution (when present in
great quantities) increase the danger of decomposition, especially in concen-
trated solutions of peroxide of hydrogen.
By preparing peroxide of hydrogen with acids which produce an insoluble.
or not easily soluble, combination of barytes, such as sulphuric acid, a much
purer product may be obtained, the amount of which, however, will be small,
so that the preparation of peroxide of hydrogen in this way would be a com-
paratively expensive process.
The reason why such a small amount is obtained is that the not easily soluble
combination of barytes which is formed envelopes the undissolved peroxide of
barium, thus obstructing the access of the acid. Even if this peroxide of
barium be exposed to the action of the dissolving acid in a finely pulverized
condition, the interior of even the smallest grain will always contain some
undissolved peroxide of barium after the conclusion of the treatment.
According to the present invention, which has for its object a process of pre-
paring peroxide of hydrogen by the use of such acids as produce insoluble or
not easily soluble combinations of barytes, the production may be increased by
exposing the mixture to the mechanical action of a grinding machine during
the action of the acid upon the peroxide of barium. By this means the grains
which still contain undissolved peroxide of barium, and which are enveloped
by the insoluble or not easily soluble combination of barytes, will be crushed,
and consequently the interior of the grain (and even the minutest grain will
contain a good deal of undissolved molecules of peroxide of barium) will be
exposed again to the action of the dissolving acid. It is obvious, therefore,
that such treatment of the peroxide of barium must raise the production to a

page_text: considerably higher degree than even in the case where the mixture of acid
and peroxide of barium are thoroughly mixed together by suitable mixing
arrangements.
Any form of grinding or comminuting machine will be suitable, but it is
preferable to use one in which the comminution is most perfectly effected.
The above-described process may also be used in the preparation of other
peroxides made out of peroxide of barium, or other peroxides made by means
of acids, or other means of solution which form with the base of the peroxide
insoluble or not easily soluble combinations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
A process for the preparation of peroxide of hydrogen and other peroxides
made out of peroxide of barium or other peroxides, by means of such acids
and other means of solution as form with the base of the peroxide, insoluble
or not easily soluble combinations, the mixture being exposed during the time
of the chemical action to the mechanical action of a grinding or comminuting
apparatus, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 25th day of October 1899
EDWARDS AND
Co.,
Chartered Patent Agents and Engineers,
65 & 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.