Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the continuous preparation of a polyamide from polyamide forming reactants. In the process, the reactants are injected continuously into a reaction zone designed to permit rapid heating and uniform mixing. The reactants are heated and uniformly mixed in the reaction zone to form a vapor and a prepolymer. The vapor is separated from the prepolymer and may be vented through a rectifying zone to recover diamine therefrom. The prepolymer is withdrawn from the reaction zone and may be passed to a second reaction zone for further reaction to form a polymer and more vapor which is vented to atmosphere. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger and a separator; the bottom of the separator being connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger by a recirculating loop and the outlet of the heat exchanger being connected to the separator by a nozzle. Recirculation means and means to inject salt solution into the recirculating loop are also included.