Oxydistillation

Oxydistillation is a thermochemical process that combines oxidation and distillation. It is primarily used in the petrochemical industry for the purification of certain hydrocarbon fractions. In this process, a feedstock is simultaneously subjected to elevated temperatures and a controlled flow of an oxidizing agent, typically air or oxygen, within a distillation column. The heat provides the energy for vaporization, while the oxidizing agent selectively reacts with and removes impurities that have different volatilities or chemical reactivities than the desired product.

The specific design and operating conditions of an oxydistillation unit are tailored to the particular feedstock and impurities being targeted. By carefully controlling the temperature, pressure, and oxidant concentration, undesirable components such as sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, or unsaturated hydrocarbons can be converted into less volatile or more easily separable substances. These oxidized byproducts are then removed from the main product stream, leading to a higher purity final product. Oxydistillation can be advantageous over conventional distillation by offering a more efficient separation for certain complex mixtures or by removing impurities that would otherwise be difficult to separate through thermal means alone. This process finds applications in the refining of various oils and the production of specific chemical intermediates.