Chapter 35. Reactions—Planned and Unplanned
An expert is one who learns through his own experience how painful and deep are the errors one can make even in the most limited field of research.—Niels Bohr (1885-1962)
35.1. Delayed Mixing
O-chloronitrobenzene reacts with methanol and caustic soda to produce o-nitroanisole (Figure 35-1).
Figure 35-1. Late mixing of this reaction led to a leak that covered 75 acres.
The reaction is semibatch and operations are normally carried out as follows:
- The first two reactants are placed in the reactor and mixed.
- The stirrer is then switched off and the liquid level checked by opening the manway cover.
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