Patent ID: 10105668

Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatus for distribution of oxygen-containing gas within a gas-liquid oxidation reaction are provided herein. The invention is particularly suited for oxidation of liquid-phase organic reactants with oxidizing gas, such as the oxidation of cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide using an oxygen-containing gas. The oxygen-containing gas is distributed through a gas distributor and into a liquid-phase reaction medium within an oxidation reactor. In some aspects, this achieves a high degree of uniformity of oxygen concentration within the liquid-phase reaction medium. The gas distributor is disposed within a lower portion of the reactor, and may comprise a network of conduits in fluid communication with each other, which are arranged within a plane that is substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the reactor. A plurality of orifices are disposed on the conduits, such that oxygen-containing gas flows through the conduits and into the liquid-phase reaction medium via the orifices.