Process for depolymerizing nylon-containing whole carpet to form caprolactam
US5929234A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07D201/12
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides an efficient process for the recovery of caprolactam from polycaprolactam-containing waste material. The present process for depolymerizing multi-component waste material comprising polycaprolactam and non-polycaprolactam components to form caprolactam comprises the step of: in the absence of added catalyst, contacting the multi-component waste material with superheated steam at a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. and at a pressure within the range of about 1 atm to about 100 atm and substantially less than the saturated vapor pressure of water at the temperature wherein a caprolactam-containing vapor stream is formed. The formed caprolactam may then be used in the production of engineered resins and fibers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.