ISOTHERMAL REACTOR FOR HYDROCARBON NITRATION
Disclosed are a process and an apparatus for synthesizing nitroalkanes by reaction of a hydrocarbon feedstock with aqueous nitric acid. By using an isothermal reactor with multiple input ports for aqueous nitric acid, a hydrocarbon feedstock may be sequentially exposed to a plurality of flows of aqueous nitric acid as it flows through the reactor.
1 . An apparatus for nitrating hydrocarbons, comprising:
a reactor having an inlet for receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock and an outlet for releasing a reaction product;
a packing material in the reactor; and
a plurality of ports for introducing nitric acid at a plurality of distinct locations in the reactor, such that the hydrocarbon feedstock undergoes sequential reactions with nitric acid as the hydrocarbon feedstock flows from the inlet to the outlet.
2 . A reactor according to claim 1 , further comprising a titanium liner.
3 . A reactor according to claim 1 , further comprising a zirconium liner.
4 . A reactor according to claim 1 , wherein the packing is random.
5 . A reactor according to claim 1 , wherein the packing is structured.