Investigations on Catalytic Oxidation of Acetaldehyde into Peracetic Acid in a Trickle Bed Reactor

Abstract

Acetaldehyde in liquid phase was oxidized into peracetic acid (PAA) by O₂ in a trickle bed reactor in the presence of various organic ferric salts as catalysts. The reaction conditions including temperature, O₂ pressure and concentration of the catalyst were optimized. The results indicate that the yield of PAA can reach about 84% under optimum conditions. Moreover, the effects of solvent type on the reactivity of acetaldehyde were studied. It was found that the reactivity of acetaldehyde varies significantly in different solvent, and acetone is the best solvent for producing PAA. The results were interpreted based on the mechanism and the kinetic behavior of the reaction. The activity coefficient (γ) of acetaldehyde in reactants solution was calculated according to the UNIFAC model and was correlated with the interactions between acetaldehyde and solvent molecules. It is believed that the interactions are the main factors affecting the reactivity of acetaldehyde.