Concentrating H2O2

Discussion in 'Chemistry' started by Pu242, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. Pu242 Registered Member

    Messages:
    2
    Is there a possibility to concentrate Hydrogen peroxide apart from vacuum distillation?
    Could I, for example, try to dry it with sulfuric acid?
    I have H2O2 20%
     
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  3. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

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    11,888
    Why would you want to do that? Just buy a stronger grade. Homeland security might be interested in your question.
     
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  5. siphra Registered Senior Member

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    Anyone think that might be why no one answered?
     
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  7. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

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    11,888
    Reminds me of a time when I was a chem tech in the Navy. I was doing an analysis when a guy walked up behind me and asked if he could see my reagent grade 35% H2O2. I was busy with an analysis so I didn't really pay any attention and said sure. About 30 seconds later the starts yelling and I turn around as see him hopping up and down and clutching his ear, I handed him a DI squirt bottle and watched him empty it into his ear.

    I asked him what in the hell he was doing and he said he always used hydrgen peroxide to clean the wax out of his ears. I told him he now knows the difference between 3% and 35% H2O2, and that he should be good for the rest of the patrol.

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  8. siphra Registered Senior Member

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    LOL!... Well I can't claim I was the safest person in the labs in college (We used to throw around stuff, that you REALLY shouldn't...) but I was never that dumb. (Course I was an engineering major, so .... )
     
  9. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

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    11,888
    I am a chemical engineer. When we graduated the assistant dean pronounced to the class, "you do not know enough chemistry to be chemists and you do not know enough engineering to be engineers - so we shall call you chemical engineers".

    He fancied himself a bit of a comedian. He acutally was a very nice fellow and I couldn't be help but laugh.
     
  10. Pu242 Registered Member

    Messages:
    2
    In Germany I can't buy more than 20%...
    I tried 10 different suppliers and some said the maximum they could say would 30% but only to people that are more than 18...(I'm 15)
     
  11. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    There is a reason for that. H2O2 is a very strong oxidizer and is rather dangerous. It can be used in rocket fuel or as an explosive - so I don't think there is anyone here that would like to give any help that might lead to a 15 year old kid getting himself hurt.
     
  12. Kel "Not all who wander are lost." Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
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    I have to agree with the others Pu242. I served in the US Army as an EOD. H2O2 can be really nasty stuff. As a matter of fact isn't it used as part of the SRB's for space shuttle launches? Or am I thinking of something else? Anyway...If you want to play with chemicals of that level and nature I suggest you either speak with your school chemistry instructor and work with them or wait untill you are in university.
     
  13. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    The moon lander used hydrogen peroxide and hydrazine as I recall - no ignition source needed just mix and stand back.
     
  14. Kel "Not all who wander are lost." Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    43
    I knew NASA had used it for something.... Thanks.
     
  15. Ickyrus Registered Senior Member

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    I saw a documentary that the UK were developing Rockets that used H2O2 as fuel during Margaret Thatcher’s time. Needless to say (documentary showed film of successful launches) that the research was abandoned and the UK missed out on the business of putting satellites in space.
     
  16. Aqueous Id flat Earth skeptic Valued Senior Member

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    6,152
    Since the H2O2-hydrazine reaction is spontaneous, there's increased reliability by eliminating possible ignition system failures. And you get an even burn.
     
  17. Captain Kremmen All aboard, me Hearties! Valued Senior Member

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    12,738
    You can drive off some of the water by boiling it.
    Some UK terrorists were boiling it up on their kitchen stove,
    and had to find excuses for their bleached eyebrows.
    And for the huge gas bills probably.
    I think they were the ones where all the bombs failed to detonate.

    Would boiling it be dangerous?
    Trippy will know.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2011
  18. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    boiling hydrogen peroxide would be pretty stupid - the hydrogen peroxide will breakdown to water and oxygen. This is and exothermic reaction so it will add more energy and boil faster and breakdown faster, flooding the room with O2 not a good idea with a stove in the room!
     
  19. Captain Kremmen All aboard, me Hearties! Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    12,738
    Message received from Homeland security:
    Yes we were interested.
    He won't be posting any more messages for some time.
    When we raided his home, he did indeed have bleached eyebrows,
    just as you predicted on sciforums.
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2011

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