Abstract:
Reaction mixtures obtained by Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime with sulfuric acid or oleum are neutralized by a process which comprises the following steps:(a) mixing the reaction mixture with recycled ammonium sulfate mother liquor whose concentration is chosen so that no solid ammonium sulfate is precipitated during the neutralization,(b) neutralization by feeding gaseous ammonia which contains water or an aqueous ammonium sulfate solution in finely divided liquid form through a plurality of nozzle orifices into the solution of the reaction mixture in the ammonium sulfate mother liquor at elevated temperatures,(c) separation of crude lactam from the aqueous ammonium sulfate solution,(d) evaporation of the ammonium sulfate solution under reduced pressure and with separation of the crystalline ammonium sulfate from the ammonium sulfate mother liquor and(e) recycling of the ammonium sulfate mother liquor to stage a).
Abstract:
In an improved process for preparing caprolactam by heating 6-aminocaproic acid, an ester or amide or mixture thereof in the presence of an inert reaction medium which is liquid under the reaction conditions and has a boiling point above that of caprolactam, the improvement comprises using as the reaction medium a hydrocarbon, maintaining a temperature of from 150.degree. to 350.degree. C., charging the 6-aminocaproic acid, ester, amide or mixture thereof at a rate commensurate with their rate of conversion, and separating caprolactam from the reaction mixture at a rate commensurate with its rate of formation.
Abstract:
In a process for continuously extracting caprolactam from an aqueous solution, containing caprolactam and its oligomers, with organic solvents, by introducing the aqueous solution into the upper part of an extraction zone and organic solvents into the lower part, and taking off a solution of caprolactam in organic solvents at the upper end and an aqueous phase containing caprolactam oligomers at the lower end, the improvement that liquid aromatic hydrocarbons are used and the extraction is carried out at a pH of from 2.0 to 6.0.
Abstract:
A process for the purification of raw caprolactam obtained by extraction h alkylated phenols from its sulphuric solution, re-extraction with water, oxidation preferably with KMnO.sub.4, evaporation of water and distillation, comprises, before the oxidation treatment, a "fast distillation", in the presence of an alkali. The oxidation is conducted at 0.degree.-80.degree. C. and at atmospheric pressure with 0.005-0.5% by weight of KMnO.sub.4. The amount of alkali (NaOH) used in the fast distillation is comprised between 0.05 and 0.5% by weight.
Abstract:
A process for purifying caprolactame by continuous and/or discontinuous (oratch) vacuum distillation comprises a first stage fast vacuum distillation of the raw caprolactame possibly in the presence of an alkaline and/or alkaline-earth hydroxide, a second stage consisting of a vacuum rectification distillation of the caprolactame obtained in the first stage and a third stage consisting of the fast vacuum distillation of the caprolactame yielded from the second stage, in the presence of an alkaline and/or alkaline-earth hydroxide. The hydroxide amount in the third and possibly the first stage distillation as well varies from 0.05 to 5% preferably from 0.1% to 1%.
Abstract:
A method for the purification of raw caprolactam containing primary amidesf the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrocarbon radical having 1-14 carbon atoms is described. The raw caprolactam is treated with at least one compound containing at least one hydroxyl group, in an amount of at least 20% by weight with respect to the raw caprolactam, at a temperature equal to or higher than that at which the ammonia, which is a part of the amide of formula I, is liberated. The caprolactam is then separated and isolated from the hydroxyl containing compound by known methods.
Abstract:
A process for purifying crude caprolactam which has been obtained by rearrangement of cyclohexanone-oxime in the gas phase over a catalyst containing boron trioxide, wherein caprolactam is crystallized out, by cooling, from a melt which contains, per 100 parts by weight of crude caprolactam, from 5 to 30 parts by weight of primary alkanols or fatty acids which have a carbon chain of 6 to 10 carbon atoms and are substituted by alkyl radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and from 0 to 5 parts by weight of water, and is separated from the mother liquor.
Abstract:
A process for the purification of .epsilon.-caprolactam, wherein .epsilon.-caprolactam is treated with potassium permanganate in the presence of from 0.01 to 5% by weight of water, based on caprolactam, and subsequently crystallized from toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene or xylene.
Abstract:
An improvement of processes for the recovery of .epsilon.-caprolactam wherein a neutralized sulfuric acid is subjected to thermal decomposition, forming a gaseous mixture of ammonia and sulfur dioxide which is thereafter converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfite and/or ammonium hydrogen sulfite which is then used for neutralization of the reaction mixture of lactam and sulfuric acid.