Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for purifying caprolactam from solutions of crude caprolactam by a direct treatment with one or more alkaline compounds of polyvalent metals, preferably bivalent and trivalent, without resorting to organic solvent extraction as used in the usual purification process. A further subject of the present invention is a facility devoid of a unit for organic solvent extraction and designed to carry out the caprolactam purification process described herein.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a continuous process for producing ammonium sulfate crystals, wherein said process comprises: (a) feeding to a first group of crystallization sections, which crystallization sections are heat integrated in series, a first aqueous ammonium sulfate solution that contains one or more impurities; (b) feeding to a second group of crystallization sections, which crystallization sections are heat integrated in series, a second aqueous ammonium sulfate solution that contains one or more impurities; (c) crystallizing ammonium sulfate crystals in each crystallization section respectively from each of said solutions of ammonium sulfate that contain one or more impurities; (d) purging a fraction of the ammonium sulfate solution that contains one or more impurities from each of said crystallization sections; and (e) discharging ammonium sulfate crystals from each crystallization section, characterized in that: (i) both the first group of crystallization sections and the second group of crystallization sections are together heat integrated in one series of crystallization sections; wherein the first group of crystallization sections operates at higher temperature than the second group of crystallization sections; and (ii) the composition of the first aqueous ammonium sulfate solution that contains one or more impurities is different to the composition of the second aqueous ammonium sulfate solution that contains one or more impurities. Further provided is apparatus suitable for producing ammonium sulfate crystals.
Abstract:
A process for purifying laurolactam by means of integrated connection of distillation and crystallization is provided. The crystallization is performed as a solution or melt crystallization. The process reduces thermal stress applied to the laurolactam stream and improved yields are obtained. Raw materials are recovered and recycled in the production sequence.
Abstract:
A system and a method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture are provided. The system includes a neutralization unit; a buffering unit for receiving a crude lactam solution containing impurities content below a standard value and being fed from the neutralization unit; a temporary storage unit for receiving a crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value and being fed from the neutralization unit; a temporary extraction unit for performing batch extraction to separate out a first lactam solution; an extraction unit for performing continuous extraction to separate out a second lactam solution; and a recovery unit for allowing caprolactam to be recovered. In the present system and method, the crude lactam solution is selectively fed into the extraction unit for continuous extraction or to the temporary extraction unit for batch extraction, thereby maintaining continuity of operation, enhancing separation efficiency, and reducing both material consumption and purification loadings.
Abstract:
A continuous process is provided for recovering caprolactam from aqueous caprolactam product which includes (i) caprolactam, (ii) impurities, and (iii) water by (a) adding alkali hydroxide to the aqueous caprolactam product, in an amount of not more than 100 mmol alkali hydroxide per kg of caprolactam; (b) reacting at least part of the added alkali hydroxide to form alkali amino caproate, to obtain a caproate-enriched caprolactam product; and (c) distilling the caproate-enriched caprolactam product at reduced pressure.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed of producing and purifying at least one amide. In accordance with one of the methods disclosed herein, the at least one amide is produced by providing an organic liquid comprising at least one oxime, providing at least one catalyst, adding the at least one catalyst to the organic liquid to form a rearrangement mass, wherein the rearrangement mass comprises at least one amide, at least one impurity, and the at least one catalyst, and heating the rearrangement mass to a temperature of at least about 115° C. for a period of time in order to sulfonate, break down and/or reduce the concentration of some of the at least one impurity in the rearrangement mass.
Abstract:
A process for removing high boilers from crude caprolactam which comprises high boilers, caprolactam and in some cases low boilers, and which has been obtained by a) reacting 6-aminocapronitrile with water to give a reaction mixture b) removing ammonia and unconverted water from the reaction mixture to obtain crude caprolactam, which comprises c) feeding the crude caprolactam to a distillation apparatus to obtain a first substream via the top as a product and a second substream via the bottom, by setting the pressure in the distillation in such a way that the bottom temperature does not go below 170° C., and adjusting the second substream in such a way that the caprolactam content of the second substream is not less than 10% by weight, based on the entire second substream.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for purifying caprolactam, said process comprising (a) subjecting the caprolactam to a hydrogenation by treating the caprolactam with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous nickel containing hydrogenation catalyst, (b) distilling at least a portion of the hydrogenated caprolactam in a distillation column containing nickel in an amount sufficiently low such that ΔPANNi≦3, wherein ΔPANNi=ΔPAN=ΔPANNi=0, ΔPAN=increase of the PAN number of caprolactam during distilling, ΔPANNi=0 increase of the PAN number of caprolactam during distilling under the same conditions in a distillation column free of nickel. Nickel is removed from the caprolactam solution prior to the distillation step.
Abstract:
A process for distillative removal of ammonia from solutions (I) which include a lactam and ammonia comprises effecting said removal in a distillation apparatus (a) at an absolute pressure of less than 10 bar.
Abstract:
A process for working up residues from the preparation of pyrrolidone and/or N-vinylpyrrolidone comprises subjecting the residues to a thermolysis.