Preparation of peracetic acid by oxidation of acetaldehyde

摘要

This specification discloses a vapor phase process for oxidizing acetaldehyde to peracetic acid, acetic acid being also formed at the same time, in an elongated reaction zone into which oxygen is fed through a plurality of oxygen injection sites spaced along the length of the reaction zone. The reaction gas mixture velocity through the reaction zone in the areas of the oxygen injection sites is maintained in excess of the flame velocity of the reaction gas mixture and the reaction zone temperature is maintained between about 140 DEG C. and about 180 DEG C.