Method for preparing an aqueous treatment solution containing at least hydrogen peroxide ions and hydroxyl ions in predetermined concentrations

An electrolytic oxidation and reduction method for preparing an aqueous treatment solution comprising hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl ions in predetermined concentrations variable within a concentration range such that said treatment solution has a total hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0.1 to 10 g of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 /liter of solution and a predetermined pH of less than 14, which comprises the steps of:

• (a) applying an electric current across at least one flat, horizontal electrolytic cell comprising a horizontal anode in contact with an anolyte in a flat, horizontal anolyte compartment and a porous, horizontal cathode in contact with a catholyte in a flat, horizontal catholyte compartment, said anode and said cathode being separated from one another by a horizontal cationic exchange membrane or a horizontal semipermeable microporous diaphragm, said catholyte being constituted by an aqueous alkaline solution of an initial pH of 7 to 12 which is lower than the predetermined pH value of the treatment solution to be prepared, and wherein said anolyte compartment is located above said catholyte compartment;
• (b) circulating in contact with said porous cathode during application of said electric current, said catholyte, while feeding an oxygen-containing compressed gas through said cathode into said catholyte compartment to form hydrogen peroxide ions and hydroxyl ions at said cathode by electrolytic reduction of the oxygen;
• (c) continuing said catholyte circulation in contact with said porous cathode, without otherwise altering its chemical composition until said catholyte attains said predetermined concentration of hydrogen peroxide ions and hydroxyl ions to form an aqueous treatment solution;
• (d) following step (c), terminating said circulation and cutting off said electric current;
• and
• (e) discharging the electrolyte as said aqueous treatment solution with a weight ratio of hydrogen peroxide to sodium hydroxide between 0.4 and 4.