Hydrogen Peroxide Coagulation: Important Bubble Interference

Summary for hydrogen peroxide coagulation Discussion

Hydrogen peroxide in waste water can interfere with coagulation, especially in a refinery effluent stream that uses H2O2 for sulfide reduction before FeCl coagulation and RO treatment. Subramanian Seetharaman asked whether the peroxide addition would affect coagulation. In the reply, the answerer explained that hydrogen peroxide spontaneously decomposes into water and oxygen, and the released oxygen bubbles can disrupt coagulation and flocculation by creating a "ginger ale" or "champagne" effect. The practical concern is not a chemical incompatibility with FeCl alone, but the physical disturbance caused by gas formation, which may reduce treatment effectiveness. The answer is cautious and brief, but clearly warns that peroxide carryover can interfere with downstream clarification steps.