Innovative Catalytic Reactor to Eliminate Red Water Pollution

A laboratory scale, batch process has recently been developed that selectively nitrates toluene to the para-nitrotoluene isomer while eliminating the meta-nitrotoluene isomer. The meta isomer is the source of "red water" pollution in TNT production. Thisproposal describes a plan to demonstrate the feasibility of the technology in a laboratory scale, continuous reactor. Although a source for the preferred catalyst has been identified, additional catalyst studies have been incorporated in the program toinsure availability and to address potential particle issues associated with a continuous reactor. A commercial nitrator has been identified and has expressed a keen desire to be part of the commercialization effort. The anticipated benefits of thistechnology would be the elimination of the "red water" pollution associated with TNT production. Although the potential market for mononitrotoluene could reach 800 MM lbs/yr, a more realistic target would be to focus on 15-25 MM lb/yr of mononitrotoluene,with sales of $5-10 MM/yr.