Abstract: A process for the concentration of ethylene oxide in an impure solution thereof including adding the solution and steam to a distillation column, recovering the gaseous stream therefrom containing ethylene oxide, and progressively condensing the steamed solution in at least two heat exchangers arranged in series, with the absolute pressure of the distillation column and of the exchangers being between about 1.5 and 6 bars and the temperature of the cooling fluid of the last exchanger being between about 5.degree. C. and a maximum temperature 5.degree. C. below the temperature of condensation of pure ethylene oxide at the pressure used.

Abstract: A process for the separation of ethylene glycol from glycolated water obtained from the bottom of an ethylene oxide desorption column in a process for the manufacture of ethylene oxide by catalytic oxidation of ethylene by oxygen in the vapor phase, comprising feeding said glycolated water directly from the bottom of said ethylene oxide desorption column into the top of a separation column having therebelow up to 12 theoretical plates and adding sufficient indirect heat to said glycolated water to form two streams; a first gaseous stream consisting essentially of steam which is removed from the top of said separation column and introduced into said ethylene oxide desorption column to serve therein as the desorption fluid, and a second aqueous stream containing from about 40% to 90% by weight of ethylene glycol which is removed from the bottom of said separation column.

Abstract: A process for the removal of gases dissolved in an aqueous solution containing up to about 15% by weight of ethylene oxide and up to about 0.5% by weight of dissolved gases which are selected from carbon dioxide and at least one other compound that is normally gaseous, comprising contacting said aqueous solution of ethylene oxide with water and at least one gas selected from one of said dissolved normally gaseous compounds; other than carbon dioxide or oxygen, for a time and at a temperature and pressure sufficient to effect substantially complete removal of said dissolved gases; said contact taking place in a separation column having an upper and a lower zone and up to 15 theoretical placed in each zone with said aqueous solution of ethylene oxide being added intermediate said zones, said gas being added to the bottom of said lower zone, and said water being added to the top of the upper zone.