Bubble column and the use thereof

US6375921B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Degussa-Huels AG · DE

Inventors

• Hubertus Eickhoff · Alzenau, DE
• Rudiger Schutte · Scheinfeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 23, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 23, 2002
• Expiry date: May 23, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J2219/00765
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A bubble column can be operated using countercurrent flow including perforated trays. The space-time yield of gas-liquid reactions can be considerably increased if the perforated trays have a substantially uniform distribution of holes, if the cross-sectional area of the individual holes is 0.003 to 3 mm2, particularly 0.01 to 0.5 mm2, and if the open area of the trays is 3 to 20%, particularly 3 to 10%, and if the bubble column comprises passages for liquid between adjacent liquid zones.The bubble column can be used for carrying out gas-liquid reactions, such as oxidation reactions with air, with the gas and liquid preferably being passed in countercurrent flow through the column. Cocurrent flow may also be used.