PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF IMPURITIES IN ALKYL NITRITE FORMATION

摘要

PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF IMPRURITIES IN ALKYL NITRITE FORMATION A process is provided for removing impurities from the gaseous product of an alkyl nitrite production zone by contacting a portion of it with lower alcohol and oxygen to convert substantially all of the nitrite oxide in that portion of the gaseous product stream to alkyl nitrite, the oxygen being present in an amount such that the mole ratio of nitric oxide to oxygen is in the range of about 4:1 to about 2:1 and the lower alcohol being present in the reaction zone such that the mole ratio of nitric oxide to lower alcohol is about 1:1 or less. A recovery stream, comprising alkyl nitrite substantially free of nitric oxide, is withdrawn from the reaction zone and at least a portion of the alkyl nitrite produced in the reaction zone is removed. At least a portion of the balance of the recovery stream from which the alkyl nitrite has been removed is purged, thereby removing impurities from the process.