Patent ID: 6265574
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B01J,C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for producing .epsilon.-caprolactam which comprises the steps of (i) subjecting cyclohexanone oxime to a gaseous phase Beckmann rearrangement reaction in a fluidized bed system using a solid catalyst, excluding a boric acid catalyst, and (ii) re-generating the solid catalyst for use in step (i), wherein said step of re-generating the solid catalyst comprises the sub-steps of (a) continuously or intermittently withdrawing the solid catalyst from the Beckmann rearrangement reaction step (i), (b) treating the solid catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas at an elevated temperature so that the nitrogen content of the catalyst falls within a range of from 10 ppm to 2,500 ppm on its way to the reaction step from the re-generating step, and (c) returning the so treated solid catalyst to the Beckmann rearrangement reaction step (i).