Pipeline reactor and method

A method of reacting a low solubility gas with a substance in an aqueous medium comprising:

• flowing an aqueous liquid comprising said substance in said aqueous medium along a flow line effective to maximize the flow path of said liquid per unit length of effective travel, at a velocity effective to induce turbulent flow conditions in said flow line,
• maintaining the liquid in said flow path at a pressure of 2 to 20 atmospheres,
• introducing a low solubility gas under pressure and capable of reacting with said substance into said liquid in said flow path through a plurality of spaced apart injection ports, in the form of gas bubbles having a diameter of not more than 100 .mu.,
• said gas being introduced at said spaced apart injection ports in an amount to establish a gas:liquid ratio, by volume, of 0.1 to 1.5:10, in the flowing liquid, at said injection ports,
• allowing substantially all of said gas to react with said substance in said aqueous medium in the interval of flow between adjacent injection ports,
• maintaining a flow pattern of said liquid and gas such that a bubble flow condition is exhibited throughout said flow path and plug flow is avoided, and
• recovering the liquid exiting from said flow path substantially free of unreacted gas, said liquid flowing along said flowline in the absence of gas venting.