ELPEDES – Electrolytic production of H₂O₂ as the core of a plant for the decentralized, self-sufficient production of disinfectants for hospitals' own use

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is an essential component of intensive disinfectants. In the current situation, however, their availability on the market is limited. The production of hydrogen peroxide solutions for disinfectants, for example in hospitals, for their own use is therefore of great importance for a self-sufficient, secure operation of these facilities.

One solution to this problem is offered by the production of hydrogen peroxide solutions directly on site. Fraunhofer IGB has developed an electrolysis cell for the decentralized electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide from (air) oxygen and water. The core component of this cell is a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) at which the production of hydrogen peroxide from gaseous oxygen and water takes place in a targeted manner.

In the ELPEDES anti‑corona project, Fraunhofer IGB is optimizing the electrochemical production of H₂O₂ by further developing the electrolytic cell and the process control in order to generate the required H₂O₂ concentrations by means of electrosynthesis, and to integrate these into a plant concept including filling. This will make the facility requiring H₂O₂ independent of supplies from the market and will also enable it to produce its own specific formulations.

The next goal is a prototype that can be tested by potential users on site and with which users can produce their disinfectants fully automatically and independently of external conditions.