Abstract: A conditioning process that is employed with a high selectivity catalyst (HSC) during an initial phase (i.e., start-up) of the epoxidation process is provided. The HSC conditioning process of the present disclosure ensures that the heat release from a catalyst bed containing an HSC during a start-up operation is less than 2000 kJ/Kgcat·hr. The HSC containing catalyst bed that has been conditioned by the process of the present disclosure exhibits improved performance (i.e., EO selectivity) and reduced hot spots.

Abstract: A conditioning process that is employed with a high selectivity catalyst (HSC) during an initial phase (i.e., start-up) of the epoxidation process is provided. The HSC conditioning process of the present disclosure ensures that the heat release from a catalyst bed containing an HSC during a start-up operation is less than 2000 kJ/Kgcat·hr. The HSC containing catalyst bed that has been conditioned by the process of the present disclosure exhibits improved performance (i.e., EO selectivity) and reduced hot spots.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the performance of a silver-based epoxidation catalyst comprising a carrier. The carrier includes at least 80 percent alpha alumina and has a pore volume from 0.3 mL/g to 1.2 mL/g, a surface area from 0.3 m2/g to 3.0 m2/g, and a pore architecture that provides at least one of a tortuosity of 7 or less, a constriction of 4 or less and a permeability of 30 mdarcys or greater. A catalytic amount of silver and a promoting amount of one or more promoters is disposed on and/or in said carrier. The method further includes the steps of initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition containing ethylene and oxygen present in a ratio of from about 3.5:1 to about 12:1, in the presence of the silver-based epoxidation catalyst at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 230° C., and subsequently increasing the temperature either stepwise or continuously.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the performance of a silver-based epoxidation catalyst comprising a carrier. The carrier includes at least 80 percent alpha alumina and has a pore volume from 0.3 mL/g to 1.2 mL/g, a surface area from 0.3 m2/g to 3.0 m2/g, and a pore architecture that provides at least one of a tortuosity of 7 or less, a constriction of 4 or less and a permeability of 30 mdarcys or greater. A catalytic amount of silver and a promoting amount of one or more promoters is disposed on and/or in said carrier. The method further includes the steps of initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition containing ethylene and oxygen present in a ratio of from about 3.5:1 to about 12:1, in the presence of the silver-based epoxidation catalyst at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 230° C., and subsequently increasing the temperature either stepwise or continuously.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising the steps of providing a catalyst precursor comprising an inert support having a catalytically effective amount of a silver containing compound, a promoting amount of an alkali metal containing compound, and a promoting amount of a transition metal containing compound disposed thereon; and heating the catalyst precursor in a gas atmosphere for a first period of time and a second period of time, wherein for the first period of time the gas atmosphere is an inert gas atmosphere and the temperature range is from about 25° C. to about 600° C., and then in a second period of time the gas atmosphere is an oxygen-containing atmosphere and the second period temperature range is from about 350° C. to about 600° C.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising the steps of providing a catalyst precursor comprising an inert support having a catalytically effective amount of a silver containing compound, a promoting amount of an alkali metal containing compound, and a promoting amount of a transition metal containing compound disposed thereon; and heating the catalyst precursor in a gas atmosphere for a first period of time and a second period of time, wherein for the first period of time the gas atmosphere is an inert gas atmosphere and the temperature range is from about 25° C. to about 600° C., and then in a second period of time the gas atmosphere is an oxygen-containing atmosphere and the second period temperature range is from about 350° C. to about 600° C.