Abstract: 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process comprising the steps of:contacting ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of an effective amount of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt catalyst and an effective amount of a lipophilic quaternary ammonium salt at a temperature within the range of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. and a, pressure within the range of about 500 to about 5000 psig, under reaction conditions effective to produce an intermediate product mixture comprising less than 15 wt % 3-hydroxypropanal;adding an aqueous liquid to said intermediate product mixture and extracting into said aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel aqueous-phase oxidizer and solids separator reactor. More particularly, the invention relates to a two zone pressure vessel in which precipitates and other solids fall or are sprayed from a supercritical temperature super zone into a lower temperature sub zone. The feed material may consist of various waste products which are subsequently oxidized in the super zone of the pressure vessel. The resultant brine or slurry which is found at the lower temperature sub zone of the vessel is removed via a pipe and disposed of accordingly.