Inventors:
Yiqi Yang - Charlottesville VA
Le Moyne W. Plischke - Lillian AL
George R. McLellan - Pensacola FL
Jerauld L. Dickerson - Pensacola FL
Assignee:
Solutia Inc. - St. Louis MO
International Classification:
C08J 1108, C08J 1124, C09B 6754, D06L 300
Abstract:
A process for recycling colored polyamide material comprises the steps of (a) contacting solid colored polyamide material with an organic solvent composition at a temperature effective to dissolve the polyamide, thereby forming a solution containing colorant and dissolved polyamide; and (b) separating colorant from the polyamide. The process can optionally further comprise the step of recovering the colorant, recovering the polyamide, or recovering both the polymer and colorant. The organic solvent composition preferably is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic and aromatic ketones, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, diols, water, and combinations thereof. Solvent compositions comprising at least one alcohol selected from the group consisting of butanediol, butanol, ethanol, and benzyl alcohol are preferred, such as aqueous solutions of 1-butanol or ethanol.