Apparatus and method for making a peroxycarboxylic acid

An apparatus for making peroxycarboxylic acid, comprising:

• (a) a first reagent vessel configured for containing hydrogen peroxide;
• (b) a second reagent vessel configured for containing a liquid carboxylic acid composition;
• (c) a reaction mixture conduit;
• (d) a first reaction catalyst column configured for catalyzing a reaction of the carboxylic acid composition and the hydrogen peroxide to produce peroxycarboxylic acid;
• (e) a first pretreatment column comprising a removable pretreatment cartridge and configured for removing metal ions from only the carboxylic acid composition;
• (f) a reagent conduit;
• (g) a peracid conduit;
• and
• (h) a safety system configured to provide a signal to allow intervention to avoid unsafe conditions due to active metal ion catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, the safety system comprising
• (i) a first sensor disposed at or in the first reaction catalyst column and configured for measuring pressure;
• (ii) a second sensor disposed at or in the first pretreatment column or in the reaction mixture conduit proximal an exit from the first pretreatment column and configured for measuring pressure;
• and
• (iii) a processor configured for determining the difference between the pressure measured by the first sensor and the second sensor and providing a detectable signal if the difference meets or exceeds a predetermined value;
• wherein
• the first reagent vessel is in fluid communication through the reaction mixture conduit with the first reaction catalyst column;
• the second reagent vessel is in fluid communication through the reagent conduit with the first pretreatment column;
• the first pretreatment column is in fluid communication through the reaction mixture conduit with the first reaction catalyst column;
• and
• the first reaction catalyst column is in fluid communication through the peracid conduit with a site of storage or use of a peroxycarboxylic acid composition.