Direct injection of oxygen into bubble column reactor.

The invention relates to an oxidation process in the liquid phase, in which a first gas containing oxygen is injected into the bottom of the bowl of a bubble column reactor containing a liquid organic oxidizable. A second gas containing oxygen is injected into the reactor to a point or points at which the liquid is VIRTUALLY DEPLETED dissolved oxygen before this injection. Oxygen from both the first and second gas containing oxygen is used to oxidize the organic liquid.