PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF DOLLAR G(E)-CAPROLACTAM

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of epsilon -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 epsilon -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.