Continuous production of polyamides

Abstract

Polyamides, e.g., polyhexamethylene adipamide, are continuously produced via the following stages: Stage 1: into and through a reactor, polycondensing a liquid stream which contain the polyamide monomer(s) at a pressure P1 greater than atmospheric pressure, the stream of material at the outlet of the reactor including a vapor phase which contains steam and a liquid phase which at least contains the product of polycondensation; Stage 2: feeding the outlet stream of material into a chamber, evacuating at least a portion of the vapor phase therefrom and recovering at least the liquid phase which at least contains the product of polycondensation, the pressure P2 in the chamber being regulated at a set value such that it is greater than atmospheric pressure and the residence time of said liquid phase in the chamber being less than 5 minutes; and Stage 3: pressure reducing at least the liquid phase which at least contains the stream of polycondensation product recovered during Stage 2.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.