US 4,206,302 A · Continuous process for the nitration of cellulose and apparatus therefor

Abstract

In a continuous process for the nitration of cellulose, a slurry of cellulose in nitrating liquor is injected under pressure into a primary nitration reactor by means of an injection pump, the reactor comprising a loop of tubing, the slurry is circulated in the loop by means of a circulation pump at a rate which is greater than the rate of injection in order to ensure that the slurry is vigorously agitated, the slurry is optionally transferred, successively, from the primary loop to one or more secondary nitration reactors, each of which also comprises a loop of tubing equipped with a circulation pump, and the slurry is withdrawn from the final loop and the nitrocellulose is recovered.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A process for the continuous nitration of cellulose using a nitrating liquor comprising nitric acid, sulphuric acid and water, which comprises the steps of:

(i) continuously injecting a slurry consisting of measured amounts of cellulose and the nitrating liquor under pressure into a primary nitration reactor comprising a loop of tubing,
(ii) causing the slurry to circulate in a circuit in the loop, in the absence of air, by means of a circulation pump which forms part of the loop at a rate of circulation which is greater than the rate of injection of the slurry into the loop in order to obtain vigorous mixing of the slurry in the loop, and
(iii) continuously withdrawing the slurry from the loop at a rate which is equal to the rate of injection and recovering the nitrocellulose formed from the withdrawn slurry.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Continuous process for the nitration of cellulose and apparatus therefor

Life of this patent

Continuous process for the nitration of cellulose and apparatus therefor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15