PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PYRROLIDONES

摘要

Processes for making pyrrolidones include providing a clarified diammonium succinate (DAS)-containing and/or monoammonium succinate (MAS)-containing fermentation broth; distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of greater than 100°C to about 300°C to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt% water; cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion and a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and converting the solid SA portion to pyrrolidones.