Kinetic study of hydrogen peroxide decomposition at high temperatures and concentrations in two capillary microreactors

On the background of the direct adipic acid synthesis from cyclohexene and H2O2, a kinetic model was derived for the H2O2 decomposition catalyzed by sodium tungstate at high H2O2 concentrations and high temperatures. A perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) and a stainless steel micro-flow capillary match commonly used microreactor materials. In the PFA capillary, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide increased with residence time, reaction temperature and catalyst loading. The reaction order with respect to hydrogen peroxide and sodium tungstate was zero and one, respectively. Simulated data fit well with experimental data in the PFA capillary. While showing a similar trend as that in the PFA capillary, the stainless steel capillary exhibited much higher reaction rates. The steel surface participated in the decomposition process as a heterogeneous catalyst. Key influencing factors of the H2O2 decomposition provided some clues on the reaction mechanism of the adipic acid synthesis and its process optimization.