KINETIC ASPECTS IN THE OXIDATION OF HYDROGENATED 2-ETHYLTETRAHYDROANTHRAQUINONE

The kinetic aspects of the oxidation of hydrogenated 2-ethyltetrahydroanthraquinone have been examined. This reaction occurs with molecular oxygen in gas-liquid reactors and is a key reaction in the industrial production of hydrogen perixode. It has been observed that reaction rates are strongly affected by mass transfer of oxygen across the liquid film. The mass-transfer coefficient of oxygen has been experimentally evaluated in absorption-desorption runs by employing an amperometric membrane electrode. Kinetic runs have been carried out in three types of reactors: a Levenspiel reactor with very low interfacial area, a CSTR reactor, and a well-stirred batch reactor with very high interfacial area.