Non-barbotage method for oxidation of hydrocarbons by forming and utilizing liquid phase thin film

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an advantageous non-barbotage method for oxidation of hydrocarbons, that, when implemented in various embodiments thereof, provides significantly higher selectivity, a greater level of safety, lower capital costs, etc., than conventional oxidation processes utilizing the barbotage technique. The essence of the inventive non-barbotage oxidation process is ensuring that the oxidizing agent delivered to the process reactor undergoes continued contact only with exposed surfaces of the liquid phase of the hydrocarbons being oxidized configured as at least one of: formed liquid phase thin film(s), liquid phase continuous stream(s), and/or liquid phase globule (e.g., droplets, etc.) stream(s), preferably, with the surface area(s) of the exposed surface(s) being maximized to increase contact with an oxidizing agent being directed thereto, to ensure that the inventive oxidation reaction occurs at the border between liquid and gas phases, such that the oxidation reaction effectively occurs by way of contact of the oxidizing agent (e.g., oxygen) from the gas phase with exposed surface(s) of the liquid phase of the hydrocarbons being oxidized. The inventive non-barbotage oxidation process may be implemented in a single reactor, or in plural sequential reactors, and may be implemented both in a stand-alone configuration, and in combination with various conventional barbotage methods for oxidation of hydrocarbons.