Process and reaction vessel for production of alkyl nitrite

A process for producing alkyl nitrite comprising:

• (a) contacting nitric oxide, a lower alcohol and oxygen in a reaction zone under conditions wherein at least a portion of said nitric oxide, lower alcohol and oxygen react to form alkyl nitrite, said reaction zone comprising at least two sections, a lower reactor packed bed section and an upper rectification section containing spaced distillation trays;
• (b) supplying a liquid scrubbing agent to an upper portion of said rectification section;
• (c) withdrawing from said rectification section a gaseous reaction product stream comprising alkyl nitrite;
• (d) withdrawing from said reactor section a liquid stream comprising scrubbing agent and water;
• wherein said reactor section provides intimate vapor-liquid contact and cooling sufficient to enhance the conversion of nitric oxide to alkyl nitrite and said rectification section provides sufficient vapor residence time to enhance conversion of oxygen and sufficient rectification capabilities to reduce the amounts of water and nitric acid in the gaseous reaction product stream and the amount of alkyl nitrite in the liquid stream.