Catalytic liquid phase oxidation of aqueous phenol was studied in a pilot plant trickle bed reactor using a copper oxide catalyst supported on alumina. Catalysts were prepared by impregnating CuO on alumina extrudates and on computer designed shape (CDS) alumina pellets. Phenol oxidation was carried out in a 2.54 cm diameter reactor with a catalyst bed length of 60 cm and in the pressure range of 1-15 atm and temperature range of 373-403 K Compared to alumina extrudates higher phenol conversion was achieved over CDS pellets under identical conditions. Phenol oxidation reaction was strongly affected by the temperature and pressure, however, pressure had less effect. Hydrodynamics of the reactor had strong influence on phenol oxidation reaction. A one dimensional axial dispersion model was proposed to simulate the experimental results. The model satisfactorily explains the experimental results with a deviation of +/-15%. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.