GB124461A - An Improved Nitration Process and Apparatus therefor. - Google Patents

Abstract

124,461. Chance & Hunt, Holly, A. E., and Mott, O. E. Jan. 7, 1916. Nitro compounds.-In a continuous nitration process, a current of the organic compound to be nitrated and a current of acid are caused to flow in opposite directions through the plant, continuous of the reacting materials and subsequent separation being effected throughout. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, a series of say sixteen nitrating pots is employed; each pot is divided by a partition d into an agitating space containing stirrers c and a separating space f, the two portions communicating by a hole in the partition; pipes g near the top and pipes h near the bottom connect each separating space to the next agitating space in the series. For producing trinitrotoluene. mononitrotoluene is supplied to one end pot of the series by the pipe k, sulphuric acid is supplied at the other end by the pipe j, and nitric acid or a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acid is supplied to one or more intermediate pots by the pipe l; the stirred mixture passes to the compartments f, where it separates into two layers, the lower layer of acid passing to the bottom of the next agitator, while, the upper layer of partly nitrated body passes to the upper part of the next agitator on the other side, and so on; spent acid finally leaves by the end pipe h and nitro body by the end pipe g. The pots may be on a level as shown, or may be arranged in cascade, the flow of one liquid taking place by gravity, while the other is raised by a pump. Or the mixture of parent nitro body and acid may be pumped to a separator from which the two bodies flow in opposite directions through the plant. Fig. 3 shows a modification in which the pot a contains two separators, one n for the nitrated body, the other o for acid. The process may also be effected in a vessel containing a rotating vertical shaft carrying etirrers, spaces being provided at the top and bottom for separation, and acid and parent organic body being supplied at the top and bottom respectively.