Pharmaceutical nitroglycerine, production

Figure 5.31 Microprocess production plant for pharmaceutical nitroglycerine (by courtesy of H. Lowe/IMM).

A nitroglycerine microprocessing plant, developed by IMM for the Chinese class-A company Xi an, is an example of the smart scaled-out concept, showing that just one caterpillar micromixer is sufficient for the continuous production of pharmaceutical-degree nitroglycerine, with a throughput of approximately 15 kg/h (Thayer 2006). 

In the United States, contaminant levels in drinking water are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA regularly reviews these contaminants, and in 2008 they released a third draft Contaminant Candidate List for public review and comment [34], As part of the process to develop the list, the Agency evaluated pharmaceuticals and personal care products to identify those that had the potential to occur in drinking water provided by pubhc utilities. EPA considered 287 chemicals identified as pharmaceuticals and personal care products however, only one, nitroglycerin, was included on the draft list because most occurred at levels far below those currently associated with any adverse health effects, based on the best available human health effects data... 

The first reaction is run over platinum-rhodium catalysts at around 900°C (1,652°F). In the second and third stages, a mixture of nitric oxide and air circulates through condensers, where it is partially oxidized. The nitrogen dioxide is absorbed in a tower, and nitric acid sinks to the bottom. Nitric acid is mainly used to make ammonium nitrate, most of it for fertilizer although it also goes into the production of explosives. Nitration is used to manufacture explosives such as nitroglycerine and trinitrotoluene (TNT) as well as many important chemical intermediates used in the pharmaceutical and dyestuff industries. 

Although nitroglycerin has been more frequently reported as a cause of contact allergy due to its use as an explosive, it has also caused allergic contact dermatitis in the pharmaceutical industry (Kanerva et al. 1991), even though closed production systems were used. 

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