US Patent 7332095 Wet oxidation

An oxidation process is described which involves subjecting a feedstock which contains oxidizable material to temperature, pressure and contact with an oxidant. Excess water and volatile oxidation products, such as carbon dioxide, formic acid and acetic acid, are removed in the vapor phase. A catalyst may be employed to increase the rate of reaction. Preferred catalysts include the transition metal ions. Advantageously, the process may be operated in a continuous manner wherein the feedstock is continuously introduced into a reactor and a vapor phase containing volatile oxidation products continuously removed. The process is particularly applicable to the treatment of consumer and industrial waste.