KINETICS OF WET OXIDATION OF FORMIC-ACID AND ACETIC-ACID

Oxidation of lower molecular weight carboxylic acids such as formic, a cetic, glyoxalic, and oxalic acids is often the rate-controlling step during wet oxidation (WO) of an aqueous waste stream exhibiting very h igh chemical oxygen demand (GOD). The kinetics of WO of formic acid wa s studied in the absence and presence of a cupric sulfate as catalyst in the temperature range 150-240 degrees C and oxygen partial pressure range 0.345-1.380 MPa. Wet oxidation of acetic acid was carried out i n the presence of cupric sulfate in the temperature range 215-235 degr ees C. Homogeneous copper sulfate was found to be a very good catalyst for oxidation of formic acid and acetic acid.