Patent ID: 8017082

Claim:
An apparatus for making peroxycarboxylic acid, comprising: (a) a first reaction catalyst column configured for catalyzing a reaction of a carboxylic acid composition and a hydrogen peroxide to produce peroxycarboxylic acid; (b) a first pretreatment column comprising a removable pretreatment cartridge and configured for removing metal ions from only a carboxylic acid composition; and (c) a safety system configured to provide a signal to allow intervention to avoid unsafe conditions due to active metal ion catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, the safety system comprising (i) a first sensor disposed at or in the first reaction catalyst column and configured for measuring pressure; (ii) a second sensor disposed at or in the first pretreatment column and configured for measuring pressure; and (iii) a processor configured for determining the difference between the pressure measured by the first sensor and the second sensor and providing a detectable signal if the difference meets or exceeds a predetermined value.