摘要 |
A process is described in which tertiary amine is oxidized with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of carbon dioxide until the reaction mass contains (i) about 0.5 to about 6.5%, and preferably about 1 to about 2.5%, of unreacted free amine, (ii) carbon dioxide, and (iii) unreacted hydrogen peroxide. At this point individual portions of the reaction mass are dispensed into a plurality of shipping containers, or alternatively, the reaction mass is transferred to a cooling vessel, cooled therein, and then dispensed into a plurality of shipping containers. Thereafter the reaction is allowed to slowly continue to completion at ambient temperature in the shipping containers with venting of off-gases, as required. The process makes it possible to produce amine oxides with increased plant throughput without need for additional plant reaction equipment such as glass-lined reactors, and the consequent substantial additional capital investment. Also the process enables production of amine oxides having, if any, very low levels of nitrosoamine impurities without increasing reactor residence time and without need for such additional plant reaction equipment and associated additional capital outlay.
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