CPC C07C 407/003 (2013.01) | 20 Claims |
1. A method for oxidizing a hydrocarbon, comprising:
feeding an oxidant to a top portion of a reactor;
reacting the hydrocarbon with the oxidant in the reactor to obtain a reaction product stream, the reaction product stream exiting a reactor outlet at a bottom portion of the reactor;
recycling a portion of the reaction product stream to the top portion of the reactor; and
introducing the oxidant into an oxidation liquid comprising the portion of the reaction product stream recycled to the top portion of the reactor to form a reaction media stream entering a reactor inlet at the top portion of the reactor;
wherein a pressure of the reactor outlet exceeds a pressure of the reactor inlet by at least 5%;
wherein the reaction media stream moves vertically downwards in the reactor; and
wherein a downward movement linear velocity of the oxidation liquid exceeds a floating linear velocity of the oxidant in the oxidation liquid, thereby providing downwards movement of the oxidant in the reactor.
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