Process for the continuous production of sodium azide

A process for the continuous production of sodium azide by a reaction of nitrous oxide and sodium amide, which sodium amide is arranged on a support of solid reaction material of sodium azide and sodium hydroxide, at a temperature of between 200.degree. and 270.degree. C., which comprises transferring the solid reaction material in a cycle through a reactor, maintained at the reaction temperature, through an adjoining product stream divider and through a subsequently arranged conveying means back to the reactor;

• introducing the nitrous oxide, via a conduit countercurrently to the passage of the solid reaction material, into the reactor;
• in the product stream divider, separating out and removing between 5 and 10% by weight of a solid product mixture received from the reactor via the product stream divider to obtain sodium azide contained in said product mixture as a sodium azide-containing product;
• recycling the remaining 90 to 95% by weight of the product mixture via the conveying means to said reactor thereby providing additional solid reaction material serving as a support for sodium amide;
• introducing an amount of sodium amide corresponding to the sodium azide in the sodium azide-containing product separated-out and removed with the product mixture via another conduit into an inlet section of the reactor;
• and discharging ammonia formed during the reaction, as well as excess nitrous oxide, from the inlet section of the reactor via a conduit connected to the inlet section.