Process For Downstream Recovery Of Nitroalkane Using Dividing Wall Column

Abstract

Disclosed are a process and apparatus for synthesizing nitroalkanes by reaction of a hydrocarbon feedstock with aqueous nitric acid. Energy and capital costs may be reduced by using a dividing wall column.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for synthesizing at least one nitroalkane, the apparatus comprising:
 a reactor for reacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with aqueous nitric acid to form a reaction product stream;   a phase separation apparatus for separating the reaction product stream into at least an oil phase and an aqueous phase; and   a dividing wall column for distilling the oil phase into at least a top product, a middle product, and a bottom product, wherein the middle product comprises at least a portion of the at least one nitroalkane.   
     
     
         2 . A apparatus according to  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising a distillation column for recovering at least a second nitroalkane from the bottom product. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nitroalkane is 2-nitropropane. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the second nitroalkane is 1-nitropropane.