Isothermal reactor for hydrocarbon nitration

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.