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The influence of periodic water flow on SO, oxidation in a trickle bed of activated carbon catalyst was investigated, whereby gaseous reactants were introduced into the trickle-bed reactor continuously, but water was turned on and off. Mean liquid superficial velocities of 0.86 and 1.65 mm/s were used. At the latter, an increase in the oxidation rate of about 30 to 45% was found within a range of cycle periods from 2 t o 80 min. A temperature change of up to 7OC was observed in the bed during periodic operation. An explanation of the improved average oxidation rate under periodic operation is developed in terms of the steady-state rates with and without water flow for symmetrical and asymmetrical cycles.

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Wet air oxidation is a process in which organic materials in the aqueous phase are oxidized by air at temperatures between 300°F and 600°F and pressures of 1000‐1800 psia. To improve our understanding of the process, its kinetics were studied using a propionic acid solution to simplify both analysis and rate measurements. The aim of the research was to define the regime where the reaction rate is kinetically controlled, to develop a model for the reaction rate and to interpret the model in terms of mechanism. Oxidation appears to proceed homogeneously in the aqueous phase and is probably kinetically controlled between 450° and 550°F. The oxidation appears to take place via two principal routes. Approximately half the propionic acid is oxidized completely to carbon dioxide while the oxidation of the remainder apparently proceeds via acetaldehyde as an intermediate to acetic acid. Acetic acid oxidizes only at a very low rate. A power law rate expression was developed which adequately described the oxidation of propionic acid solutions.

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