Weak acid process for producing dinitrotoluene

摘要

This invention relates to an improved process for the production of dinitrotoluene wherein one is able to effectively employ a feed sulfuric acid, which is referred to as "weak acid" as the feed sulfuric acid for the nitration facility. The weak acid concentration, as feed, ranges from 86-91%, preferably 87-89% sulfuric acid by weight, to meet the total sulfuric acid requirements for the facility. This is accomplished by utilizing cocurrent processing in a mononitration zone and countercurrent nitration with respect to sulfuric acid in the dinitration zone.