| abstract |
Methods for controlling the reaction rate of a hydrocarbon to an acid by making phase-related adjustments are disclosed. In order to improve reaction rate of the oxidation, a single phase at the operating temperature is attained and maintained by adjusting one or more of gaseous oxidant flow rate, pressure in the reaction zone, temperature in the reaction zone, feed rate of hydrocarbon, feed rate of solvent, feed rate of water if water is being fed, feed rate of the catalyst. The preferred hydrocarbon is cyclohexane, the preferred acid is adipic acid, the preferred solvent is acetic acid, and the preferred catalyst is cobalt acetate. Other hydrocarbons include, but are not limited to, methylated benzene, methylated structures involving two benzene rings, and methylated naphthalene. |