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Liquid Phase Oxidation

Process description

Oxidation in the gas/liquid phase often occurs in the production of basic and fine chemicals. Very often, molecular oxygen is used here in the form of process air.

Gas application

Increased oxygen content can decisively improve the efficiency of oxidation reactions. The use of oxygen has the following advantages compared to pure air operation:

  • Increase in selectivity and product yield
  • Possible capacity increase
  • Lower costs for product processing
  • Greater flexibility in operation

Messer solution

Pure oxygen can be used in a particularly efficient way for gas/liquid reactions. In addition to the optimal feed system, other factors, in which Messer can provide sound expert knowledge, also play a decisive role.

Applications for oxygen- or oxygen-enriched air already exist in the following industrially used processes, or they are in the development phase:

  • Terephthalic acid (PTA) and isophthalic acid (IPA) from p-xylene und m-xylene
  • Acetone and phenol from benzene and isopropylene via the Cumene-Hydroperoxide-Process
  • Styrene and propylene oxide from benzene and ethylene via ethylbenzene-hydroperoxide (Halcon-Process)
  • Cyclohexanone/Cyclohexanol (KA oil) from cyclohexane
  • Benzoic acid from toluene
  • Hydrogen peroxide via the Anthraquinone process