Abstract: Processes are provided for accomplishing wet oxidation using a reaction zone wherein the gas phase (oxygen) is allowed to pass therethrough at a flow rate independent of the liquid phase (waste water) flow rate so that more oxygen can be supplied to a given volume of waste water than is possible for a conventional reactor of the equivalent size. A high efficiency wet oxidation is provided by which the process technology can be practiced either in a single stage or multistage. The reactor is directed to operate at temperatures ranging from about 350.degree. to 600.degree. F. at pressures ranging from about 800 to 2200 psig and the reactor provides a gas phase/liquid phase separation feature.

Abstract: Heat exchange means and method for a continuous wet oxidation apparatus for treating organic waste sewage employing a reactor within which the sewage is treated in the presence of heat, includes handling the influent by means providing a continuous hydraulic circuit for the passage of waste sewage to the reactor, such influent means comprising in series a holding tank communicating downstream with a high pressure pump acting to drive the influent through a low pressure heat exchanger a high pressure heat exchanger and then through an inlet into the reactor, and means for handling effluent from the reactor providing a continuous hydraulic circuit for the passage of treated liquid from the reactor and having in series an outlet and passage from the reactor to conduct hot effluent through the high pressure heat exchanger from which the passage leads to a throttling device and thence to and through the low pressure heat exchanger to a second throttling device and therefrom to a disposal point.