Patent ID: 7741515
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for producing a carboxylic acid, said process comprising: introducing an oxidant stream comprising molecular oxygen into a reaction zone of a bubble column reactor via a plurality of oxidant openings defined in a conduit, wherein the pressure drop associated with discharging said oxidant stream from said conduit is not more than about 0.3 megaPascals (MPa), wherein said reaction zone comprises a reaction medium having a maximum height (H); and wherein said bubble column reactor is not mechanically agitated; and wherein a majority of said molecular oxygen enters said reaction medium within about 0.25H of the bottom of said reaction medium comprising oxidizing para-xylene in a liquid phase of a multi-phase reaction medium contained in said reaction zone of said bubble column reactor to form crude terephthalic acid.