Inventors:
Gregory E. Bush - Pensacola FL
Chris E. Schwier - Pensacola Beach FL
Robert M. Lembcke - Pensacola FL
Steven W. Cook - Pensacola FL
Assignee:
Solutia Inc. - St. Louis MO
International Classification:
C08G 6900, C08G 7300
Abstract:
A process for producing a polyamide from dicarboxylic acid monomer and diamine monomer comprises the steps of: (a) mixing molten dicarboxylic acid monomer and molten diamine monomer in equimolar amounts, thereby producing a molten reaction mixture; (b) flowing the reaction mixture through at least one unvented reaction vessel, the residence time of the reaction mixture in the at least one unvented reaction vessel being between about 0. 01 minutes and about 30 minutes, thereby forming a first product stream that comprises polyamide and water of polymerization; and (c) flowing the first product stream through at least one vented vessel, whereby water of polymerization is removed, thereby forming a second product stream that comprises polyamide. The process can operate continuously, and there is no need to add water to the dicarboxylic acid, to the diamine, or to the reaction mixture.