Abstract: A continuous process to nitrate a nitratable aromatic compound in a nitronium ion solution in a nitrator. The process comprises feeding into the nitrator nitronium ion solution of a composition within an area defined by connecting three points in a ternary phase diagram of nitric acid, sulfuric acid and water. The three points correspond to first about 82% of sulfuric acid and 18% nitric acid, secondly about 55% sulfuric acid and about 45% water and, thirdly, 100% sulfuric acid, with the nitric acid preferably being below about 3%. The nitratable aromatic compound is introduced in a manner such that a fine emulsion of hydrocarbon in the nitronium ion solution is formed with the hydrocarbon evenly distributed in the acid phase. The acid and the nitratable aromatic compound are brought into intimate contact in a plug-flow nitrator that contains mixing elements.

Abstract: An apparatus to allow reaction in the liquid phase. The apparatus is a vessel having a baffle. There are openings in the baffle through each of which a liquid passes as a jet. Neighboring openings are sufficiently close to allow impingement of the jets thereby allowing for reaction of the liquids. The invention finds application in reactions where the reactants are immiscible and is particularly suitable in the nitration of aromatic hydrocarbons using mixed acids in aqueous solution. A method of conducting a reaction between at least two reactants in the liquid phase is also provided comprising passing a liquid containing the reactants through a plurality of adjacent spaced openings to create a series of impinging jets.