Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide at high pressure, to provide heat to other equipment, e.g. in oil industry, involves using solid catalyst containing manganese, vanadium, palladium or their mixtures

The reaction pressure is at least 20 bars, and preferably more than 80 bars. A decomposition chamber (1) has means (4, 6, 7, 8) of supplying hydrogen peroxide, and contains a solid catalyst (3) comprising manganese, vanadium, palladium or a mixture, in a shape designed to heat an apparatus (2), and with means (11, 12) of evacuating the decomposition products. The catalyst includes manganese and/or palladium, in particular partially oxidized manganese, and is supported on a support material which is inert in the reaction conditions. In particular, the catalyst is supported on a base of pure palladium or palladium mixed with platinum, gold and/or iridium. The hydrogen peroxide is in aqueous solution containing less than 90%, and preferably less than 70% hydrogen peroxide by weight. The solution is stabilized. The process produces heat, oxygen and/or steam. The device also has means (13, 14, 15) of injecting a balancing fluid into the decomposition chamber. The internal wall of the decomposition chamber is coated with a material which is resistant to high temperatures. L'invention a pour objet un procédé de décomposition du peroxyde d'hydrogène à pression élevée, dans lequel on décompose du peroxyde d'hydrogène à une pression d'au moins 20 bars au moyen d'un catalyseur solide comprenant au moins un élément choisi dans le groupe constitué par le manganèse, le vanadium, le palladium et leurs mélanges.L'invention a encore pour objet un dispositif pour réchauffer un équipement, faisant emploi de ce catalyseur.