Solvay Chemicals
technical
P U B L I C A T I O N
H2O2 Passivation Procedure
Introduction
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong chemical oxidant which decomposes into
water and oxygen in the presence of a catalytic quantity of any transition
metal (e.g., iron, copper, nickel, etc.). The primary concern with decomposition
is the buildup of pressure which can lead to pressure bursts. To prevent this
from occurring, any metal surface that comes in contact with hydrogen
peroxide must be degreased, pickled and passivated, even if only used once.
The degreasing and pickling steps chemically clean the metal surfaces. The
passivating step oxidizes the metal surface. The thin oxide coating, which
forms on the metal surface during passivation, renders the surface nonreactive
to hydrogen peroxide and prevents the metal from decomposing the peroxide.
The passivation procedure consists of:
1. Grinding to remove weld spatter and smooth out scratches.
Prepare for passivation by roping off the work area and
posting warning signs. All open lights and tools which may
spark must be removed from the passivation area. Smoking
is prohibited within the passivation area. Prior to preparation
of the chemical solutions, determine how to dispose of the
spent chemicals. These chemicals must be disposed
of in a safe and environmentally sound manner that
is consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local
regulations.
2. Degreasing to remove oil and grease films.
Application methods
3. Pickling to chemically clean the surface.
The chemical solutions may be applied to the metal
surfaces by the four different methods listed below.
4. Passivating with nitric acid to form an oxide film.
The metal surfaces may be sprayed with the solutions.
5. Testing with dilute hydrogen peroxide to ensure successful treatment.
Instructions for performing each step are given below. Passivating equipment
for hydrogen peroxide service is a specialized operation, and should
be performed by qualified personnel only.
For additional information, call Solvay Chemicals, Inc. at 1800SOLVAYC.
Note: Before beginning any work, read and comprehend the entire procedure.
Safety and environmental
Read the Solvay Chemicals Hydrogen Peroxide Safety and Handling
brochure and the Material Safety Data Sheets for each chemical that will be
used in this operation, prior to beginning work. Ensure that all recommended
safety precautions are observed. The Solvay Chemicals Safety and Handling
brochure and Material Safety Data Sheet for hydrogen peroxide can be found
at [Link].
The metal surfaces may be coated by circulating
the solutions.
The metal surfaces may be immersed into the solutions.
The metal surfaces may be filled with the solutions.
Any method may be used, provided the surface
to be treated is exposed to the solutions for the time
specified in the procedure. It is usually more economical
to treat small parts by immersing these parts in, or filling
these parts with, the solutions. Large vessels are usually
more economically treated by spraying or circulating the
solutions within the vessel.
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HH056 H2O2 Passivation Procedure Page 1 of 8
Wear the proper safety equipment when handling hydrogen peroxide.
A hard hat with a brim
Face shields
(recommended under
conditions such as an
open pour)
Proper chemicalsplash
goggles (safety
spectacles with side
shields will provide
adequate protection only
when handling small
quantities of dilute
hydrogen peroxide
normally encountered
under laboratory
conditions)
Chemicalresistant
protective gloves made
of PVC or rubber
Standard PVC
or rubber acid suit
Chemicalresistant boots
of rubber or PVC
Preparation
Chemicals required.
Water for preparing solutions and rinsing must have a chloride content
<20 mg/I, pH 78, and be free from ironbearing suspended matter.
Passivation equipment. Recommended gasket materials:
P.T.F.E. (polytetra fluoroethlene)
Fluoroelastomer
Trisodium phosphate
For application by spraying, use a selflubricating stainless
steel/P.T.F.E. spinner nozzle capable of wetting the entire
inside surface of the vessel.
Sodium metasilicate
Caustic soda
Nitric acid
Hydrogen peroxide
Tanks stainless steel or high density polyethylene
Hoses Goodyear Fabchem UHMW polyethylene
Pumps 316 stainless steel wetted parts
Valves 316 stainless steel with P.T.F.E. seals and seats
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HH056 H2O2 Passivation Procedure Page 2 of 8
Hydrogen peroxide storage vessels and associated piping should
be cleaned, treated and tested separately to avoid crosscontamination.
1. Remove all foreign material from inside piping and vessels.
2. Inspect:
a. Entire system for adequate venting.
b. Entire system for proper materials of construction (stainless steel
or aluminum).
c. All welds. Repair defects and grind smooth. Grinding equipment
should be dedicated exclusively to use on the material
of construction. Use aluminum oxide grinding disks.
d. Vessel interior. Grind out pits and inclusions.
e. All equipment for grease or oil films.
f. Block valves (All ball valves and plug valves should be vented
for hydrogen peroxide service.
Details for venting both types of valves are available upon request).
3. Remove, dismantle and hand treat:
a. Instruments
b. Pressure and flow controllers
c. Check valves (inside parts only)
d. Sight or gauge glasses
e. Pumps (if possible, dismantle and treat)
Pickling
1. Identify the material of construction that will be treated
(aluminum or stainless steel).
2. See Materials section for preparation of pickling solution.
3. Apply pickling solution at ambient temperature for one hour.
Note: Caustic soda is highly reactive with aluminum. Severe metal damage
can occur if the concentration is too high or the contact time too long.
Therefore, be certain that contact with aluminum does not exceed one hour.
4. Reclaim and store spent chemicals in labeled compatible
containers.
5. Rinse with water until the pH is neutral or equal to the
pH of rinse water being used.
6. For vessels only: Inspect visually to ensure that
no sediment or other foreign material remains
in the vessel. The vessel should be completely clean
before proceeding.
Passivation
4. Install necessary plugs, spool pieces and flanges to enable circulation
of treatment chemicals.
1. See Materials section for preparation of passivating
solution.
5. Flush system with water until discharge is clean.
6. Leak check the system.
2. Apply passivation solution at ambient temperature
for two hours.
7. Repair leaks and drain system.
3. Reclaim chemicals in labeled compatible containers.
Degreasing
4. Rinse with water until pH is neutral or equal to the
pH of the rinse water being used.
Degreasing should be performed on all new systems but may be omitted
for systems which are known to be free of grease and oil.
Note: Make sure that all equipment is completely rinsed with water
to neutral pH before addition of hydrogen peroxide.
1. See Materials section for preparation of degreasing solution,
2. Heat solution to 120125 F Maintain this temperature during treatment.
3. Apply degreasing solution for two hours.
4. Rinse with water until pH is neutral.
5. Inspect carefully. If any grease or oil film remains, repeat treatment.
6. If system was disassembled, reassemble and leak test with water.
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Inspection
Good lighting is necessary for the following observations.
A passivated surface shows a matte silvery finish; unpassivated surfaces
are a lustrous gray.
After passivation, iron will show as a brown stain, copper as a green stain
and magnesium as a black stain or spot, and tungsten inclusions in welds
will sparkle in good light. All inclusions, brown stains, and green stains must
be removed by grinding and the area repickled and repassivated.
1. Visually inspect the entire vessel interior from the manway. If the surface
has a uniform silver gray matte finish, go to step 4. If the surface has
black stains or does not appear to be properly passivated, go to step 2.
2. Enter the vessel, making sure to follow all safety procedures and
requirements. Extreme cleanliness is essential to prevent contamination.
Avoid scratching the interior by wearing rubber boots wrapped with
clean plastic.
3. Test questionable areas with 35% hydrogen peroxide. If bubbles
appear, remove the cause of the bubbles and repeat the pickling and
passivation steps.
Testing
See Materials section for preparation of hydrogen peroxide
test solution.
Piping
1. Blind off one end of spool or pipe and fill with hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) test solution. Position pipe so that no air
is trapped, as trapped air will give a false indication of
decomposition.
2. Observe for 30 minutes. Contamination will cause
hydrogen peroxide to decompose and emit streams
of bubbles.
3. If no bubbles are seen, drain the test solution and
rinse with water. Seal all openings to avoid contamination.
4. If bubbles are seen, remove the source and repeat
pickling and passivation procedures.
4. Replace all equipment that had been removed and leak test with water.
Figure 2: Passivation Testing Procedure
Take reference sample after peroxide
has circulated for 30 minutes.
Analyze for assay and stability.
Wait 48 hours. Take comparison
sample and assay. Compare assays.
Pass
Analyze stability of comparison
sample. Compare stabilities.
Pass
Fail
Take new comparison sample
and analyze for stability. Compare
stabilities with reference sample.
Pass
Drain test solution and dispose
of in accordance with local
regulations. Put into service.
Fail
Fail
Drain and rinse. Call Solvay Chemicals
for further instructions.
Take new comparison sample and
analyze for stability. Compare
stabilities with reference sample.
Pass
Analyze stability of comparison
sample. Compare stabilities.
Pass
Fail
Fail
Drain and rinse. Call Solvay Chemicals
for further instructions.
Take new comparison sample and
analyze for stability. Compare
stabilities with reference sample.
Fail
Drain and rinse. Call Solvay Chemicals
for further instructions.
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HH056 H2O2 Passivation Procedure Page 4 of 8
Pass
Vessels
1. Circulate and spray hydrogen peroxide test solution for 30 minutes,
wetting the entire surface. Leave the test solution in the vessel until the
passivation testing procedure is complete.
2. Follow the passivation testing procedure in Figure 2.
All samples should contain 500 mL of solution and should be taken using
new, clean polyethylene bottles.
Definitions. Compare Assays: Analyze both samples according to Solvay
Chemicals procedure Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration
(0.1%5.0%); (XX122). The comparison fails if the difference between the
Reference Sample and the Comparison Sample is more then 0.3%. This
procedure can be found in the Resource Library section on our website.
Compare Stability: Analyze both samples according to Solvay Chemicals
procedure Determination of Gasometric Stability of Hydrogen Peroxide
at 100C (XX116). The comparison fails if the difference between the
Reference Sample and the Comparison Sample exceeds 0.2 mL
oxygen/minute/25 mL hydrogen peroxide. This procedure can be found
in the Resource Library section on our website.
Table One: Specific gravity of solutions
Concentration (%) Caustic Soda
NaOH
1
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
70
1.008
1.051
1.107
1.161
1.217
1.272
1.325
1.377
1.428
1.476
1.523
Hydrogen Peroxide
H2O2
1.004
1.014
1.032
1.051
1.069
1.088
1.108
1.128
1.149
1.170
1.192
1.284
Materials
Volume required. Prepare enough of each solution to treat small parts by
immersing or filling, plus enough to establish and maintain circulation for
tanks and vessels. A volume of solution equal to about 5% of the tanks
volume is usually adequate.
Hydrogen peroxide solution should be at least 5% of the tank volume.
Degreasing solution. Prepare a degreasing solution in water using:
0.20 lbs/galtrisodium phosphate
0.20 lbs/galsodium metasilicate
Pickling solution.
a. Aluminum material Prepare a 1% wt/wt solution of caustic soda diluted
with water.
b. Stainless steel material only Prepare a 5% wt/wt solution of caustic
soda diluted with water.
c. Combination of aluminum and stainless steel Prepare a 1% wt/wt
solution of caustic soda diluted with water.
Dilution formula:
Vc = volume of concentrated solution
Vd = volume of dilute solution
Vw = volume of water to be added to concentrated solu
tion to make
dilute solution
Cc = concentration of concentrated solution
Cd = concentration of dilute solution
SGc = specific gravity of concentrated solution (from table)
SGd = specific gravity of dilute solution (from table)
Vc = (Vd)(SGd)(Cd)/(SGc)(Cc)
Vw = Vd Vc
Examples:
Prepare 100 gallons of 1% caustic pickling solution
by diluting 28% caustic soda.
Vd = 100
SGd = 1.008 (from table)
SGc = 1.325 (from table for 30%)
Cd = .01
Cc = .28
Vc = (100)(1.008) (.01)/[(1.325)(.28)] = 2.72 gallons
of 28% caustic soda
Vw = 1002.7 = 97.3 gallons of water
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HH056 H2O2 Passivation Procedure Page 5 of 8
Prepare 200 gallons of 5% hydrogen peroxide testing solution by diluting
50% hydrogen peroxide.
Vd = 200
SGd = 1.014
SGc = 1.192
Cd = 0.5
Cc = .50
Vc = (200) (1.014) (.05)/[(1.192)(.50)] = 17.0 gallons of 50% hydrogen peroxide
Vw = 200 17.0 = 183.0
Passivating solution. Prepare a 3035% wt/wt solution of nitric acid by
diluting 68% nitric acid with an equal amount of water.
Testing solution. Prepare a 35% wt/wt hydrogen peroxide solution. Enough
test solution must be prepared to completely cover the bottom welds and
nozzles equal to about 5% of the vessel volume.
Note: Ensure that the chemical solutions have been properly diluted. Mixtures of strong hydro
gen peroxide, nitric acid, and caustic soda may undergo violent decomposition resulting in ejec
tion of hot solutions or pressure bursts.
Solvay Chemicals is dedicated
to customer satisfaction
We strive to make your experience with Solvay Chemicals peroxygens safe,
efficient, and hasslefree. Most of the important product and contact
information is readily available at [Link]. You may also
contact us by calling 1800SOLVAYC (18007658292), or writing
to Solvay Chemicals, Inc. at 3333 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77098.
Solvay Chemicals Quality Policy
Solvay Chemicals strives to bring you the best in products, service and tech
nology. Exceeding, not just meeting, your expectations is the basis for our
pursuit of continual improvement. To demonstrate our commitment, Solvay
Chemicals' Quality Management System is registered to the ISO 9001:2000
International Quality Management System Standard.
Delivery
In North America, Solvay Chemicals ships product from two
plant sites and a number of strategically located distribution
terminals. We operate a fleet of highpurity aluminum and
stainless steel tank trucks and railcars dedicated to hydrogen
peroxide service.
Our registration encompasses the production and distribution of hydrogen
peroxide at both of our manufacturing facilities in Deer Park, Texas and
Longview, Washington, as well as administrative activities at our Houston
headquarters.
We also can provide stainless steel IM1O1 ISO containers
to deliver, store, and dose liquid hydrogen peroxide. These
isotainers are ideally suited to seasonal or shortterm
needs. Inemergency situations, our Quick Response
program will get isotainers of hydrogen peroxide to your
site right away. For information on our excellent delivery
capability, call 1800SOLVAYC, or see our brochure
lsotainers for Quick Response, which is available on our
website at [Link].
Safety
Responsible Care
Like all other powerful chemicals, hydrogen peroxide must be treated with
respect and handled appropriately. For a full discussion of safe handling
of this product, please see our publication Hydrogen Peroxide Safety and
Handling, available upon request, or as a download from our website
at [Link].
Recognizing the importance
of preserving the environment
of the planet we share, and
the health and safety of the
employees who produce our products, Solvay Chemicals
actively supports the Responsible Care program of the
American Chemistry Council.
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HH056 H2O2 Passivation Procedure Page 6 of 8
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Solvay Chemicals, Inc.
Administration/Sales/Marketing
3333 Richmond Avenue
Houston, Texas 77098
Telephone: 713/5256500
Fax: 713/5257806
1800SOLVAYC (800-765-8292)
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 27328
Houston, Texas 77227
To our actual knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate as of the date of this document. However, neither Solvay Chemicals, Inc. nor
any of its affiliates makes any warranty, express or implied, or accepts any liability in connection with this information or its use. This information is for
use by technically skilled persons at their own discretion and risk and does not relate to the use of this product in combination with any other
substance or any other process. This is not a license under any patent or other proprietary right. The user alone must finally determine suitability
of any information or material for any contemplated use in compliance with applicable law, the manner of use and whether any patents are infringed.
This information gives typical properties only and is not to be used for specification purposes. Solvay Chemicals, Inc. reserves the right to make
additions, deletions or modifications to the information at any time without prior notification.
Copyright 2005, Solvay Chemicals, Inc. All Rights Reserved.