Distilling 3% Grade Hydrogen Peroxide.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of distilling 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to obtain a higher concentration, specifically 30%. Participants explore the safety, feasibility, and implications of boiling hydrogen peroxide indoors, as well as alternative methods of obtaining higher concentrations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that boiling a 3% H2O2 solution at 212°F would primarily evaporate the water, raising questions about the safety of doing this indoors with limited ventilation.
  • Another participant suggests that purchasing 30% H2O2 might be easier and cheaper than attempting to distill it at home.
  • A different participant expresses concern about the dangers of concentrating hydrogen peroxide at home, advising against the attempt.
  • One participant reflects on the potential of using low concentrations of H2O2 as a benign energy storage method, questioning whether it could be boiled to produce higher concentrations for use in a vehicle engine, while acknowledging the likely impracticality of this idea.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the safety and practicality of distilling hydrogen peroxide at home. While some caution against the attempt, others consider the feasibility of using H2O2 in energy applications, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not reach a consensus on the safety or practicality of the proposed method for concentrating hydrogen peroxide, and there are unresolved concerns regarding the risks involved in the process.

Qaiphyx
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h2o2 has a boiling point of 300F+ degrees and water is 212F, so if I take a bottle of 3% h2o2 which is diluted with water and boil it at 212F degrees, then it will only boil the water right? But, is it safe to do indoors with little ventilation? What does boiling h2o2 make? I want to make 30% h2o2.
 
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It will be probably easier and cheaper to buy.
 
Borek said:
It will be probably easier and cheaper to buy.

True but I don't have a location for 30% in the town that I live in, so its easier than going to the city.
 
Danger! Danger! Run, Will Robinson! You don't have what you need to do this really dangerous thing at home.

I'd just move to the big city...
 
Sorry for bumping an old post, but the question hasn't really been answered…and I was wondering the same thing. I have no intention of actually trying to concentrate hydrogen peroxide (aka. rocket fuel). It just occurred to me that at low concentrations H2O2 is rather benign and possibly a reasonable way to safely store energy. In a vehicle engine for instance, could it be reduced (boiled) in a just in time fashion to produce the more extreme reaction of high concentrations? Is there enough energy there to warrant carrying the excess water? …likely not ;) …But interesting to think about.
 

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