Heterogeneously Catalyzed Partial Oxidation in Supercritical Water

Abstract

A continuous high-pressure plant for heterogeneously catalyzed partial oxidation in supercritical water is described. This plant features a differential loop reactor using the jet loop principle. In this apparatus, the partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde was first examined without catalysts in the parameter range 390 to 450 °C and 22 to 35 MPa. Then, metallic silver, copper and a gold/silver alloy were tested as catalysts under the same reaction conditions. The experiments showed that heterogeneously catalyzed partial oxidation in supercritical water is practicable with this plant.