Patent ID: 7358389
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for making a polycarboxylic acid composition, said process comprising: (a) subjecting a multi-phase reaction medium to oxidation in a reaction zone of a bubble column reactor, wherein said bubble column reactor comprises an external reaction vessel and at least one internal structure at least partly disposed in said external reaction vessel; and (b) during step (a), using said internal structure to define one or more quiescent zones within said bubble column reactor, wherein said internal structure comprises upright internal sidewalls that are substantially surrounded by said reaction medium, wherein each of said quiescent zones includes therein at least one location that is spaced from said reaction zone by at least 0.2 meters or 0.05 times the maximum horizontal diameter of said reaction zone, whichever is larger.