Hydrogen peroxide (H2_22O2_22) at a concentration of 35% is widely used across various industries due to its strong oxidizing properties, making it useful in disinfection, bleaching, and chemical processes. Below are the primary industrial uses of hydrogen peroxide 35%:
- Healthcare and Disinfection
- Sterilization: Used as a disinfectant in hospitals and laboratories for sterilizing surfaces, medical equipment, and tools.
- Antiseptic: In lower concentrations, it is used in medical settings for wound cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
- Sanitation: Applied in food processing industries to disinfect equipment and packaging to ensure food safety.
- Water Treatment
- Wastewater Treatment: Hydrogen peroxide is used to remove organic impurities from wastewater, especially in industrial plants. It helps in breaking down pollutants through oxidation, improving water quality.
- Odor Control: Utilized in water systems to control odor by oxidizing sulfur and other odor-causing compounds.
- Drinking Water Purification: Employed in drinking water systems to eliminate contaminants, improve taste, and prevent bacterial growth.
- Textile and Paper Industry
- Bleaching Agent: Widely used in the textile and paper industries as a chlorine-free bleaching agent. It is applied to whiten and brighten fabrics, yarns, and paper products while reducing environmental impact compared to traditional bleaching agents like chlorine.
- Environmental Applications
- Soil and Groundwater Remediation: Hydrogen peroxide is used in environmental cleanup projects to oxidize and break down contaminants in soil and groundwater, especially in sites contaminated with organic pollutants and hydrocarbons.
- Air Pollution Control: Applied to treat industrial exhaust gases by reducing emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides.
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Intermediate in Chemical Synthesis: Utilized as a reactant in producing various chemicals, such as peracetic acid, sodium percarbonate (a component in detergents), and epoxides. It’s also used in producing specialty chemicals for bleaching and cleaning.
- Oxidizing Agent: Serves as an oxidizer in several chemical processes, including the production of certain polymers, solvents, and pharmaceutical products.
- Food Processing Industry
- Packaging and Surface Disinfection: In the food industry, hydrogen peroxide 35% is used to sanitize packaging materials, including milk cartons and beverage containers, as well as food processing equipment.
- Food Additive: It is occasionally used as a bleaching agent in food, such as flour, and as a processing aid to improve food safety.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care
- Hair Bleaching: Hydrogen peroxide is a common component in hair dye and bleaching products, helping lighten hair by breaking down melanin.
- Teeth Whitening: In lower concentrations, it is used in teeth whitening formulations to brighten tooth enamel.
- Mining and Metallurgy
- Ore Processing: Hydrogen peroxide is used in the mining industry to treat and recover valuable metals from ores. It assists in the oxidation of metals, improving the efficiency of extraction processes, particularly in the leaching of gold, silver, and uranium.
- Metal Surface Treatment: Employed for cleaning and passivating metal surfaces by removing oxides and ensuring corrosion protection.
- Electronics and Semiconductors
- Cleaning and Etching: Hydrogen peroxide is used in semiconductor manufacturing and electronics production for cleaning and etching wafers, as well as oxidizing metallic residues.
