Patent ID: 9221737
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the oxidation of cyclohexane comprising the following steps: a) providing a reaction zone comprising a plurality of oxygen clean up zones and a plurality of oxidation zones, wherein the oxygen clean up zones and the oxidation zones are in fluid communication; b) introducing a first stream comprising liquid cyclohexane into the oxygen cleanup zones; c) introducing an oxygen containing gas into the oxidation zones; d) passing the first stream downwardly from the oxygen clean up zones to the oxidation zones, while cross-currently passing the oxygen containing gas upwardly from the oxidation zones to the oxygen clean up zones, wherein the reaction between the first stream and the oxygen containing gas produces a product mixture, and wherein the oxygen containing gas is distributed to the oxidation zones through a plurality of conduit banks, wherein each conduit bank feeds one or more oxidation zones and wherein a different flow rate of the oxygen containing gas can be maintained in each conduit bank, and wherein the flow rate of the oxygen containing gas within each conduit bank is independently controlled to maintain the temperature of different areas of the reaction zone within a predetermined range; e) maintaining the oxidation zones at a temperature range of about 145° C. to about 170° C.; f) withdrawing a product mixture from the oxidation zones that comprises cyclohexyihydroperoxide (CHHP), cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol; and g) withdrawing from the oxygen clean up zones an oxidation off-gas comprising less than 3.0% by volume of unreacted oxygen.