Low Cost Electrochemicals

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Background: Stanford researchers have developed a low cost, portable device for small scale decentralized electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide. This device can be used to remove pollutants from drinking water with no harmful residues which can be particularly valuable in the developing world. In addition, coupled with an alkaline electrolyte, the product solution can directly be used in the chemical industry, e.g. pulp and processing.  Produced at a rate of 3M tons/year, H2O2 is one of the most important industrial chemicals widely used as a bleaching and oxidation agent. While chlorine is currently the standard for water purification due to its low cost, chlorine treatment residuals (haloalkanes) are toxic and potential carcinogens.  As a water cleaning and bleaching agent, especially in drinking water treatment, H2O2 is a superior candidate. However, currently H2O2 is produced via anthraquinone process in large commercial batches and is expensive, energy intensive, dangerous to transport. This invention describes a new route to produce H2O2 in a manner that can be deployed on-site, as-needed, and coupled to renewable energy to make for a sustainable process.  A prototype has been tested successfully (see video below). This device has the potential to be used in many industries and in many regions across the globe. Stage of Research:  Prototype successfully tested  Continued work to improve catalyst performance  Study to reduce the pH closer to neutral condition Testing if circulating electrolyte system will help the long-term stability of the device Applications: Low cost water purification with minimum harmful residuals (can be especially useful in the developing world) One-step bleaching agent synthesis for the chemical industry (e.g. pulp and processing) Can be used for disinfecting surfaces, e.g. restaurants and hospitals Advantages: Low cost, small scale, and decentralized synthesis of hydrogen peroxide to remove pollutants from drinking water with no residues Easy, scalable manufacturing and assembling process with no metal pieces Operates at standard temperature and pressure No Nafion membrane involved compared to other devices, which lowers the overall cost and increase the stability Flexibility to run either as a fuel-cell or electrolyzer Starting reagents are readily available, air and water De-centralized, just in time delivery of hydrogen peroxide