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Abstract

This invention relates to a method of producing benzene carboxylic acids from an aromatic material, especially coal, by the oxidation of the aromatic material in an aqueous alkaline mixture containing an aliphatic organic acid promoter agent with a source of gaseous oxygen. Use of the aliphatic organic acid promoter agent results in a surprising and unexpected increase in the benzene carboxylic acid yield which is higher than that obtained without the promoter agent. A finely divided coal, potassium carbonate, water, and aliphatic carboxylic acid promoter agent are charged to a feed tank (10) where they are mixed with an agitator (14). A slurry pump (18) pumps the mixture through a preheater (20) to an autoclave (30). Air is continuously fed to the autoclave (30) by a gas compressor (34). The coal slurry is oxidized in the autoclave (30) while being agitated by a mixer (36). Gaseous products, and in particular carbon dioxide, is continuously removed from the autoclave (30) through a vent conduit (42). Benzene carboxylic acid salts produced in the autoclave (30) are removed and cooled in a cooler (52) and stored in a product tank (54).

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First Claim