Abstract:
PURPOSE:To recover epsilon-caprolactam and ammonium sulfate of high purity in high yield, by separating a neutralization mixture after the Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime into an aqueous and an oil phases, and by extracting the phases with specific solvents. CONSTITUTION:Cyclohexanone oxime is subjected to the Beckmann rearrangement in the presence of sulfuric acid, and neutralized with aqueous ammonia to give a mixture, which is separated into an aqueous and oil phases in the first stage. In the second stage, the aqueous phase is extracted with an organic solvent e.g. benzene or toluene, to transfer organic substances, e.g. epsilon-caprolactam, from the aqueous to the solvent phase. An aqueous ammonium sulfate is thus recovered. The oil phase spearated in the first stage is extracted with the same organic solvent to give a solvent phase containing epsilon-caprolactam, which is distilled to recover the epsilon-caprolactam. Extraction is carried out by countercurrent method, using a perforated plate tower.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to nitrogen based hydrocarbon compounds such as pyridines. The method includes the reaction of acetylene with ammonia and controlling the ratio of acetylene to ammonia to generate the desired nitrogen based hydrocarbon compound.
Abstract:
Catalytic processes for preparing caprolactam, pipecolinic acid, and their derivatives, from lysine or alpha-amino-epsilon-caprolactam starting materials, and products produced thereby. A process for preparing caprolactam or a derivative thereof, the process comprising contacting a reactant comprising lysine or alpha aminocaprolactam with a catalyst and a gas comprising hydrogen gas, in the presence of a solvent. The catalyst may be provided on a support material, such as a transition metal.