METHOD FOR ACTIVATING HYDROGENATION CATALYST AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE COMPRISING THE METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing hydrogen peroxide comprising a step of activating both of selectivity of hydrogenation and activity of a hydrogenation catalyst which has increased tendency toward by-product formation and lowered hydrogenation selectivity as a result of continuous and repeated use in a plant for producing hydrogen peroxide by the anthraquinone process without damaging the catalyst. SOLUTION: The method for producing hydrogen peroxide is a method according to the anthraquinone process, which comprises the catalyst activation step of activating a hydrogenation catalyst which has lowered hydrogenation selectivity as a result of repeated use, wherein the catalyst activation step comprising a step (1) of heat-treating the hydrogenation catalyst in an oxygen-containing gas at 200-600°C and a step (2) of treating the hydrogenation catalyst with a first aqueous alkaline solution containing an alkali metal and having a pH of 10 or higher and washing the catalyst with water or with a second aqueous alkaline solution less alkaline than the first aqueous alkali solution so that the pH of a catalyst immersion liquid formed by mixing 1 pt.wt. activated hydrogenation catalyst with 5 pts.wt. pure water becomes 8.0 or higher. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT