This work presents a comprehensive computer simulation study for the h
ydrolytic polymerization of epsilon-caprolactam with the vaporization
of both water and e-caprolactam in an industrial semibatch reactor. It
incorporates various correlations for heat and mass transfer, desorpt
ion from the free surface as well as bubbly desorption, and the build-
up of pressure in the reactor. The solution of the mass and energy bal
ance equations is carried out using Gear's algorithm. Optimal values o
f five parameters are obtained using the Box complex technique with in
dustrial data for a feed-water concentration of 3.45 mass%. Simulation
results are then obtained for two other feed-water concentrations usi
ng these curve-fitted parameter values. Excellent agreement is obtaine
d with the corresponding industrial data. The activity coefficients of
the monomer and water have been correlated with monomer conversion in
this study. This eliminates infeasible solutions under certain condit
ions. The sensitivity of the model results to changes in the values of
several parameters is also studied. The model developed can be used t
o optimize the performance of the reactor.