The scaling-up of hydrothermal oxidation process is performed by the use of
simulation tools, which require an important experimental support. In this
way, we have proposed a new experimental approach to determine the global
reaction heats of hydrothermal oxidation reactions. A quasi-adiabatic tubul
ar reactor was developed in order to follow the temperature profiles along
the reactor during the oxidation reaction. From the experimental temperatur
e profiles, a model of the reactor thermal behavior was proposed and gives
access to the global reaction heats. The experimental setup and model have
been validated for acetic acid oxidation in supercritical water with hydrog
en peroxide as oxidant. The global reaction heat of acetic acid hydrotherma
l oxidation (P = 25 MPa, 400 less than or equal to T less than or equal to
570 degreesC) has been found equal to - 925 kJ mol(-1). (C) 2001 Elsevier S
cience B.V. All rights reserved.