Abstract Methods of and apparatus of intimately contacting a liquid phase with a gas phase to effect a chemical reaction. Particularly, methods of and apparatus for sulfonating organic sulfonatable compounds with sulfur trioxide as the sulfonating agent to produce products substantially free of undesirable byproducts of the sulfonating agents. A reaction vessel comprising a closed vessel having within the upper, reaction zone portion thereof reactive gas inlet means, optional gas blast means, and a first liquid atomizing rotor operable to disperse liquid therefrom in a lightly atomized condition thereby to provide a substantially continuous screen of dispersed liquid across the full section of the vessel. A vapor withdrawal line is positioned beneath the first liquid atomizing vapor. The vessel also optionally includes a second liquid atomizing rotor beneath the first liquid atomizing rotor to provide a second gas-liquid contacting or liquid-liquid contacting operation. A bottom product line permits withdrawal of the products from the reaction vessel.
The apparatus as in claim 1 including recycle means connected with said product withdrawal means and said first liquid input means and operable to deliver liquid from said product withdrawal means to said first liquid input means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as in claim 1, said gas input means including a gas blasting ring centrally positioned within said reaction vessel above said first liquid atomizing means and operable to discharge reactant gas downwardly toward and concentrically around said first liquid atomizing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as in claim 3, said gas input means also including a gas nonblasting ring centrally positioned within said reaction vessel above said gas blasting ring and operable to provide essentially a stagnant atmosphere of said reactant gas above said liquid screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as in claim 1, said pressure control means including a second vapor withdrawal pipe positioned beneath said second liquid atomiziNg means and operable to assist said vapor withdrawal pipe beneath said first liquid atomizing means in maintaining said vessel at a vacuum condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said driver means operable to rotate said first liquid atomizing means is also operable to rotate said second liquid atomizing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 including a deflector shield mounted within said vessel between said first and second liquid atomizing means and operable to permit liquid in said vessel above said shield to flow to that portion of the vessel beneath said shield via the wall of said vessel.