Oxidation of organic substances in aqueous solutions over Ru catalysts by oxygen

The catalytic performance of supported Ru catalysts has been studied in the reactions of wet oxidation of acetonitrile, N,N-dimethyl formamide and car bamide at T = 433-533 K and P = 2.0-4.6 MPa, and wet oxidation of real sewa ge from an alcohol plant (so-called Luther water) at T = 403-473 K and P = 1.5-3.6 MPa. The Luther water contained a mixture of low-boiling (C-1-C-5) aldehydes and alcohols. The experiments were carried out in a perfectly mix ed batch autoclave reactor. The conversion of alcohols and aldehydes contai ned in the Luther water and selectivity of the process towards CO2 and wate r as well as the selectivity of the oxidation of acetonitrile, N,N-dimethyl formamide and carbamide towards CO2, N-2 and water were determined at vari ous temperatures and reaction times. Ru (4.8 wt.%)/graphite-like carbon was effective in the oxidation of Luther water (Delta TOC = 97.5% at T = 423 K for 1 h), carbamide (X-CO(NH2)2 = 100%, SCO(NH2)2 --> CO2 = 100%, SCO(NH2) 2 --> N2 = 71% at 473 K, 2 h) and acetonitrile (X-CH3CN = 100%, SCH3CN --> CO2 = 100%, SCH3CN --> N2 = 75% at 493 K, 1 h). Ru/active carbon/gamma -Al2 O3 was effective in the oxidation of N,N'dimethyl fromamide (X-HCON(CHe)2 = 100%, SHCON(CH3)2 --> CO2 = 61%, SHCON(CH3)2 --> N2 = 100% at 493 K). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.