Abstract: A process for oxidizing a first hydrocarbon to a corresponding first oxygenate by feeding a first feedstock comprising the first hydrocarbon into an oxidation reactor, contacting the reaction medium with a gas stream comprising O2 in the oxidation reactor, and supplying a hydroperoxide additive to the oxidation reactor. By including the hydroperoxide additive in the reaction medium, foaming at and/or close to the beginning of the oxidation reaction can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: In a process for producing phenol, a mixture of cyclohexylbenzene with from 10 to 90 wt % of a solvent is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst and under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide. The catalyst comprises a cyclic imide having an imide group of formula (I): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group. At least a portion of the oxygen is dissolved in the mixture and the liquid phase molar ratio of cyclohexylbenzene to oxygen dissolved in the mixture is less than or equal to 20,000:1.

Abstract: A reactor with minimal dead volume especially suited to reverse-flow applications comprises: a) a reactor body; b) a first head engaged with said reactor body; c) a first conduit extending from outside said head to at least partially through said head; and d) a first valve in flow communication with said first conduit controlling fluid flow along a flow path extending from the first valve and through the reactor body. The reactor is especially suited for use in a process for rapid stream-switching of at least two streams in a reverse-flow reactor.

Abstract: In various aspects, methods and systems are provided for monitoring catalyst bed levels using multiple sensors that are temporarily installed in a reactor during catalyst loading. The multiple sensors are able to take distance measurements at substantially the same time and at predetermined time intervals so as to provide a catalyst time profile. The catalyst time profile allows an operator monitor catalyst levels during and after catalyst loading. Once catalyst loading is completed, the multiple sensors are removed from the reactor.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing cyclohexylbenzene, a composition comprising cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen in at least one oxidation zone under oxidation conditions sufficient to produce at least some (i) cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide; (ii) a first byproduct; and (iii) a second byproduct in an effluent. A ratio ? is determined according to the following formula: ? = A B wherein A is the amount of the first byproduct in the effluent and B is the amount of the second byproduct in the effluent. The ratio ? is then maintained above a threshold value or adjusted above a threshold value.

Abstract: In a process for producing phenol, a mixture of cyclohexylbenzene with from 10 to 90 wt % of a solvent is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst and under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide. The catalyst comprises a cyclic imide having an imide group of formula (I): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group. At least a portion of the oxygen is dissolved in the mixture and the liquid phase molar ratio of cyclohexylbenzene to oxygen dissolved in the mixture is less than or equal to 20,000:1.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing cyclohexylbenzene, a composition comprising cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen in at least one oxidation zone under oxidation conditions sufficient to produce at least some (i) cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide; (ii) a first byproduct; and (iii) a second byproduct in an effluent. A ratio ? is determined according to the following formula: ? = A B wherein A is the amount of the first byproduct in the effluent and B is the amount of the second byproduct in the effluent. The ratio ? is then maintained above a threshold value or adjusted above a threshold value.

Abstract: A reactor with minimal dead volume especially suited to reverse-flow applications comprises: a) a reactor body; b) a first head engaged with said reactor body; c) a first conduit extending from outside said head to at least partially through said head; and d) a first valve in flow communication with said first conduit controlling fluid flow along a flow path extending from the first valve and through the reactor body. The reactor is especially suited for use in a process for rapid stream-switching of at least two streams in a reverse-flow reactor.

Abstract: A reactor with minimal dead volume especially suited to reverse-flow applications comprises: a) a reactor body; b) a first head engaged with said reactor body; c) a first conduit extending from outside said head to at least partially through said head; and d) a first valve in flow communication with said first conduit controlling fluid flow along a flow path extending from the first valve and through the reactor body. The reactor is especially suited for use in a process for rapid stream-switching of at least two streams in a reverse-flow reactor.

Abstract: A reactor with minimal dead volume especially suited to reverse-flow applications comprises: a) a reactor body; b) a first head engaged with said reactor body; c) a first conduit extending from outside said head to at least partially through said head; and d) a first valve in flow communication with said first conduit controlling fluid flow along a flow path extending from the first valve and through the reactor body. The reactor is especially suited for use in a process for rapid stream-switching of at least two streams in a reverse-flow reactor.