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356 CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY OF EXPLOSIVES

TNT and then sent to denitration. Excess of spent acid from dinitration (14) is

diluted to separate dissolved nitro compounds and also sent to denitration.

The main features of the nitration conditions are given below.

TABLE 82

MONONITRATION OF TOLUENE

I

Nitration acid Spent acid

HNO 3 27-28% 0.5%

H 2 SO 4 54-55% 68.5%

H 2 O 17-19% 18.7-18.8%

N 2 O 3 - 1.5%

Nitro compounds 0.7-0.8%

Quantity of the nitrating mixture 103% of theoretical

Temperature of nitration :

on mixing reagents

after ,, ,,

15-40°C

40-50°C

Time :

in winter (better cooling) 12-13 hr

in summer 30-36 hr

Yield of MNT 95% of theoretical

HNO 3

H 2 SO 4

H 2 O

Nitro compounds

TABLE 83

DINITRATION OF MNT

Nitration acid

Spent acid

before “bubbling” after “bubbling”

23% 2.5% 0.8%

67%

10%

• 4% 0.7-0.8%

Quantity of the nitrating

mixture 111% of theoretical

Temperature of nitration :

on mixing reagents 20-80°C

after ,, ,, 80-105°C

Time 8 hr

Yield 95% of theoretical

Mononitration of toluene. The nitrator is filled with toluene and nitration
acid is added (Table 82).

Dinitration. The nitrator is filled with MNT and nitrating mixture is added

(Table 83).