A method for the recovery of epsilon.sub.r - caprolactam from nylon - 6 - extract-containing carpet

摘要

A process for the continuous recovery of &egr;-caprolactam provides a carpet made from nylon 6 fibers and having a backing to a separator to prepare scrap containing nylon 6 and waste. The scrap from the separator is fed to a depolymerizing reactor where the scrap is subjected to a depolymerization catalyst, temperatures of at least the melting point of nylon 6 and superheated steam to produce an &egr;- caprolactam containing distillate and more waste. The &egr;- caprolactam in the distillate is separated from other volatiles therein; and purified.