Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the preparation ε-caprolactam starting from 6-aminocapronitrile by hydrolysis/oligomerisation followed by de-oligomerisation/cyclisation using superheated steam characterized in that the hydrolysis/oligomerisation is performed with superheated steam converting 6-aminocapronitrile into a molten phase and a gas phase comprising ammonia, ammonia is continuously separated off and the de-oligomerisation/cyclisation is performed by treating the molten phase further with superheated steam. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of ε-caprolactam starting from 6-aminocapronitrile by hydrolysis/oligomerisation followed by de-oligomerisation/cyclisation characterized in that the preparation is performed in a horizontal scraped-surface reactor, the hydrolysis/oligomerisation is performed with superheated steam converting 6-aminocapronitrile into a molten phase and a gas phase comprising ammonia, ammonia is continuously separated off and the de-oligomerisation/cyclisation is performed by treating the molten phase further with superheated steam.
Abstract:
A process for depolymerizing nylon 6 and recovering caprolactam from the depolymerized products by extraction with alkyl phenolic compounds. Process steps include (a) treating a first mixture comprising nylon 6 with water at a temperature between about 200.degree. C. and about 400.degree. C. to yield a second mixture comprising depolymerized nylon 6 components, wherein the second mixture contains caprolactam at a concentration between about 5 wt. % and about 35 wt. %; (b) optionally, separating insoluble material from the second mixture; (c) extracting the second mixture with an extraction agent to yield an aqueous raffinate third mixture and an organic phase fourth mixture comprising caprolactam and the extraction agent, wherein the extraction agent is an alkyl phenol having a boiling point higher than that of the caprolactam; (d) recovering caprolactam from the organic phase fourth mixture by distillation; (e) recycling the aqueous raffinate third mixture to step (a).
Abstract:
The invention comprises a process of producing .epsilon.-caprolactam from extract water of polycaprolactam obtained by hydrolytic polymerization, wherein(i) the extract water is concentrated by distillation of water,(ii) from the concentrated extract water from stage (i) an extract of .epsilon.-caprolactam and oligomers including dimers is obtained by separating an .epsilon.-caprolactam/water vapor mixture,(iii) the extract from stage (ii) is depolymerized in the presence of a catalyst and superheated steam, where a vapor mixture of .epsilon.-caprolactam and water is obtained, and(iv) from the .epsilon.-caprolactam/water vapor mixtures of process stages (ii) and (iii) .epsilon.-caprolactam with a dimer content of .ltoreq.0.2 wt-% is obtained by distillation of water.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for depolymerising one or more polyamides in the presence of at least an aliphatic alcohol, the depolymerisation taking place with at most 40 mol. % catalyst. This process provides good selectivity towards the monomeric components of polyamides. This process moreover causes as few waste streams as possible.
Abstract:
Dicarboxylic acid and diamine are recovered from polyamides by hydrolysis with nitric acid, followed by separation of the dicarboxylic acid, and hydrogenation of the nitric acid, and then recovery of the diamine.
Abstract:
Process for the preparation of macrocyclic compounds by condensation of at least difunctional compounds and subsequent thermal depolymerization in the presence of catalysts, wherein thermal depolarization is carried out in solvent of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent identical or different aliphatic C.sub.1-6 hydrocarbon radicals with or without functional groups and having number average molecular weights (Mn) from 500 to 3,000, from which the value of n inevitably follows, at a pressure of less than 50 hPa and at a temperature of 200 to 300.degree. C., 5 to 1,000 parts by weight of solvent being used per part by weight of macrocyclic compound.
Abstract:
Caprolactam is purified by oxidative treatment in which mixtures which essentially contain the caprolactam to be purified and unsaturated lactams are treated with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture in an alkaline medium.
Abstract:
Caprolactam is obtained from caprolactam-containing polymers in the presence of a base under reduced pressure by depolymerizing polymers which contain the repeating unit --[--N(H)--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --C(O)--] or mixtures consisting essentially offrom 50 to 99.99% by weight of a polymer containing the repeating unit --[--N(H)--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --C(O)--]--from 0.01 to 50% by weight of additives selected from the group consisting of inorganic fillers, organic and inorganic pigments and dyes,from 0 to 10% by weight of organic and/or inorganic additives,from 0 to 40% by weight of non-polyamide-containing polymers andfrom 0 to 20% by weight of polyamides, with the exception of polycaprolactam and copolyamides prepared from caprolactam,in at least two depolymerization reactors connected in series.