| abstract |
The invention relates to a continuous process for recovering caprolactam from aqueous caprolactam product, said aqueous caprolactam product comprising (i) caprolactam, (ii) impurities, and (iii) water, said process comprising: adding alkali hydroxide to the aqueous caprolactam product, in an amount of not more than 100 mmol alkali hydroxide per kg of caprolactam; reacting at least part of the added alkali hydroxide to form alkali amino caproate, to obtain a caproate-enriched caprolactam product; and distilling the caproate-enriched caprolactam product at reduced pressure. |