Selection and Evaluation of a New Extractant for Caprolactam Extraction

Mixed solvent of 1-octanol and cyclohexane with 60% (by mass) 1-octanol content was selected as a new extractant for caprolactam extraction. Compared with benzene or toluene, the new extractant has larger extraction capacity and much lower toxicity. Although the extraction capacity of the new extractant is smaller than that of pure 1-octanol, 1-octanol solubility of the new extractant in aqueous phase is much smaller. Because of its physical properties of lower density, lower viscosity, and higher interfacial tension, the new extractant performed much better phase separation ability than pure 1-octanol. The new extractant showed certain selectivity when dealing with lactam oil. The mixed solvent of 1-octanol and cyclohexane with 60% (by mass) 1-octanol content is a promising extractant for caprolactam extraction.