Abstract:
An improved process for the hydrolysis of nylon polymer is herein disclosed using ionic liquids and optionally one equivalent of sulfuric acid per amide residue of the polymer. The process provides for a simplified means for separation of the hydrolyzed polyamide constituent monomers.
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:
The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of caprolactam from waste containing polyamide, comprising a) depolymerisation of the waste containing polyamide, whereby a caprolactam raw material and, where applicable, a flow containing secondary constituents or additives is obtained, and b) irradiation of the caprolactam raw material with UV radiation.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of caprolactam from waste containing polyamide, comprising a) depolymerisation of the waste containing polyamide, whereby a caprolactam raw material and, where applicable, a flow containing secondary constituents or additives is obtained, and b) irradiation of the caprolactam raw material with UV radiation.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of purified caprolactam comprising the steps of:(a) depolymerizing polyamide-containing carpet in the presence of steam to obtain crude caprolactam and steam;(b) removing substantially all of said water from said crude caprolactam and steam(c) distilling the resulting concentrated crude caprolactam at a pressure of less than about 8 mmHg and a temperature from about 110.degree. C. to about 145.degree. C. so as to form overheads and bottoms of the caprolactam; and(d) crystallizing the caprolactam overheads to obtain caprolactam crystals and mother liquor.The resulting purified caprolactam may then be used to make polycaprolactam which may then be used in engineered materials or spun into fiber.
Abstract:
.epsilon.-Caprolactam is continuously recovered from carpet made from nylon 6 face fibers and a backing. The carpet is fed to a separator to prepare scrap containing nylon 6 and auxiliary materials. The scrap from the separator is fed to a depolymerizing reactor to produce an .epsilon.-caprolactam containing distillate and more auxiliary materials. The .epsilon.-caprolactam in the distillate is separated from other volatiles and purified. The auxiliary materials are also recovered or re-used.
Abstract:
One or more polyamides can be depolymerized in the presence of at least one nitrogen-containing compound. The depolymerization takes place at a pressure between about 0.5 and about 5 atm. The polyamide may be in the form of carpet waste or other heterogeneous form. Advantages include better selectivity towards the polyamide monomeric components and use of low pressure equipment to effect depolymerization.
Abstract:
Caprolactam is obtained from mixtures which contain polymers or thermoplastic molding materials having the repeating unit--N(H)--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --C(O)--(a) by cleavage at elevated temperatures in the presence of a base under reduced pressure or (b) in the presence of water, by using a mixture essentially comprisingfrom 50 to 99.9% by weight of a polymer or of a thermoplastic molding material having the repeating unit--N(H)--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --C(O)--from 0.1 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,and carrying out the cleavage in the presence of a base under reduced pressure, the water content of the mixture used being not more than 0.01% by weight, or carrying out the cleavage in the presence of water without the addition of acid or base at from 270.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a weight ratio of water to polymer or thermoplastic molding material of from 1:1 to 20:1 and in a reaction time of less than 3 hours.
Abstract:
Recovery of caprolactam and of an alkali metal carbonate from distillation residues which are obtained in the purification of caprolactam and contain caprolactam and/or oligomers and/or polymers of caprolactam and also alkali metal hydroxides by(a) melting the distillation residues, the caprolactam and/or oligomers and/or polymers of caprolactam and alkali metal hydroxides,(b) continuously removing caprolactam from the melt,(c) after removing caprolactam, cooling the melt and obtaining a residue,(d) dissolving the residue thus obtained in water and(e) subjecting the aqueous solution thus obtained to combustion with the formation of an alkali metal carbonateis described.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the production of caprolactam by thermal depolymerization of polyamide in the presence of small quantities of potassium carbonate at 250.degree. to 320.degree. C. and to a process for purifying the resulting caprolactam.