Abstract:
The invention relates to the field of separation by distillation of 6-aminocapronitrile (ACN) and hexamethylenediamine (HMD) from a mixture comprising ACN, HMD, tetrahydroazepine (THA), adiponitrile (ADN) and low boilers (LB). Also disclosed is a method for producing a distillate stream comprising HMD; a side draw stream comprising ACN, THA and low levels of dimers of ACN and HMD; and a tails stream comprising ACN, THA and substantially higher levels of dimers of ACN and HMD than found in the side draw stream. The side draw stream is particularly suitable for use in the production of caprolactam since the low levels of dimers of ACN and HMT do not greatly affect the catalyst life in the caprolactam production process. The tails stream can be further distilled to produce a tails distillate stream comprising CAN and THA, which can be recycled back to the first distillation column, futher increasing recovery of CAN from the feed stream. Process conditions of the method of the invention disfavor the production of 2-cyanocyclopentylideneimine (CPI).
Abstract:
A novel nickel particulate form is provided that efficiently forms a zero-valent nickel complex with a phosphorus-containing ligands in an organic liquid to form a hydrocyanation catalyst. Particles in the nickel particulate form comprise nickel crystallites. For example, the nickel particulate form can have a BET Specific Surface Area of at least about 1 m2/gm; an average crystallite size less than about 20-25 nm, the nickel particulate form can have at least 10% of the crystallites in the nickel form can have a diameter (C10) of less than about 10 nm, and/or there are on average at least about 1015 surface crystallites per gram nickel. A ratio of BET SSA to C50 for the nickel particulate form can be at least about 0.1×109 m/gm and preferably at least about 0.4×109 m/gm. Methods of preparation and use are also provided.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the field of separation by distillation of 6-aminocapronitrile (ACN) and hexamethylenediamine (HMD) from a mixture comprising ACN, HMD, tetrahydrozaepine (THA), adiponitrile (ADN) and low boilers (LB). A method for producing a distillate stream comprising HMD is disclosed, which is suitable for the production of Nylon-6,6. The tails stream from the distillation of the mixture can be further distilled to produce a distillate comprising ACN and THA, which is particularly suitable for use in the production of caprolactam and Nylon-6 from the caprolactam. Process conditions of the method of the invention disfavor the production of 2-cyanocyclopentylideneimine (CPI).
Abstract:
Method for making caprolactam from 6-aminocapronitrile that contains greater than 500 ppm tetrahydroazepine and its derivatives (THA) in which ammonia and water are removed from crude caprolactam in a single separation step and then THA is removed from the resulting caprolactam melt.
Abstract:
Method for making caprolactam from 6-aminocapronitrile that contains greater than 500 ppm tetrahydroazepine and its derivatives (THA) in which ammonia and water are removed from crude caprolactam in a single separation step and then THA is removed from the resulting caprolactam melt.