Catalytic oxidation of phenol in aqueous solutions

The objective of this work is to investigate catalyst systems for the oxidation of phenol in water in a batch autoclave. The main experimental variables are the type and the composition of the catalyst, the catalyst loading, temperature, oxygen partial pressure, initial phenol concentration and the stirrer speed. Commercial catalysts were used. Experimental work was conducted in two different laboratories. In one laboratory, the catalysts tested were 35% CuO+65% ZnO; 5–15% CuO+85–95% Al₂O₃; 26% CuO+74% Cu Chromite. In the other laboratory, the catalysts tested included 35% CuO+65% ZnO; 5–10% Ba₂CO₃+<5% C+30–40% CuO+60–70% ZnO; and 8–15% Al₂O₃+1–5% C+35–45% CuO+40–50% ZnO. With some of these catalysts depending on the operating conditions, complete phenol conversion could be obtained within 90 min. Under certain experimental conditions, the reaction underwent an induction period after which there was a transition to a much higher activity regime. The induction period may be due to an autocatalytic reaction system or to a very slow rate of formation of hydroquinone and catechol which then readily oxidize to o- and p-benzoquinone. An increase in the temperature and the oxygen partial pressure decreased the induction period, which increased as the catalyst to phenol ratio increased. 26% CuO+74% Cu Chromite and 8–15% Al₂O₃+1–5% C+35–45% CuO+40–50% ZnO were found to be the most active catalysts.