US4003977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Removal of tetranitromethane from TNT plant waste gases
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-08-18
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Granted: 1977-01-18
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Expires: 1995-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of removing tetranitromethane from waste gases (e.g., from trinitrotoluene plants) by scrubbing the waste gases with a mixture of 1 an alkali metal hydroxide, 2 water, and 3 a liquid alcohol. Most of the tetranitromethane is converted into a soluble alkali metal salt of trinitromethane.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Gilligan
- 👤 Thomas N. Hall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:07
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/34; B01D53/46; B01D53/72; B01D53/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A gas scrubbing process for removing tetranitromethane from trinitrotoluene plant waste gases comprising: scrubbing the waste gases with a two phase mixture comprising (1) an alkali metal hydroxide, (2) water, and (3) a water insoluble solvent selected from the group consisting of (a) ethers, (b) alkyl aromatic compounds, (c) halo aromatic compounds, (d) hydrocarbons, and (e) mixtures thereof; provided that the two phase mixture is circulated countercurrent to the flow of the waste gases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A gas scrubbing process for removing tetranitromethane from trinitrotoluene plant waste gases comprising: scrubbing the waste gases with a two phase mixture comprising (1) an alkali metal hydroxide, (2) water, and (3) a water insoluble solvent selected from the group consisting of (a) ethers, (b) alkyl aromatic compounds, (c) halo aromatic compounds, (d) hydrocarbons, and (e) mixtures thereof; provided that the two phase mixture is circulated countercurrent to the flow of the waste gases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide concentration is from 0.1 N to 3 N.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide concentration is from 0.5 N to 1 N.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of NaOH, KOH, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is NaOH.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A gas scrubbing process for removing tetranitromethane from trinitrotoluene plant waste gases comprising: scrubbing the waste gases with a two phase mixture comprising (1) an alkali metal hydroxide, (2) water, and (3) a liquid monohydric alcohol having a solubility of less than 15 grams per 100 grams of water at 20° C; provided that the two phase mixture is circulated countercurrent to the flow of the waste gases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A gas scrubbing process for removing tetranitromethane from trinitrotoluene plant waste gases comprising: scrubbing the waste gases with a two phase mixture comprising (1) an alkali metal hydroxide, (2) water, and (3) a liquid monohydric alcohol having a solubility of less than 15 grams per 100 grams of water at 20° C; provided that the two phase mixture is circulated countercurrent to the flow of the waste gases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide concentration is from about 0.1 N to about 3 N.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide concentration is from 0.5 N to 1 N.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of NaOH, KOH, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is NaOH.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the alcohol has a solubility of less than 1 gram per 100 grams of water at 20° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide concentration is from about 0.1 to about 3 N.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide concentration is from 0.5 N to 1 N.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of NaOH, KOH, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 14 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is NaOH.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of n-heptanol, n-octanol, n-nonanol, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 16 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide concentration is from about 0.1 N to about 3 N.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 17 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide concentration is from 0.5 N to 1 N.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of NaOH, KOH, and mixture thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is NaOH.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 6 wherein a compound selected from the group consisting of (a) water insoluble ethers, (b) saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof is added to the water insoluble alcohol phase to depress the melting point of the alcohol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3125606A
Cited
US1632959A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-18 | 1980-07-19 | 1981-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-18 | 1984-07-19 | 1985-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-18 | 1988-07-19 | 1989-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |