Abstract: This invention is a process for producing propylene oxide. The process comprises first contacting a titanium zeolite with a reaction feed comprising propylene, hydrogen peroxide, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water to produce a product stream comprising propylene, propylene oxide, propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The product stream is distilled to produce a first overhead stream comprising propylene and a first bottoms stream comprising propylene oxide, propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The first bottoms stream is distilled to produce a second overhead stream comprising propylene oxide and a second bottoms product stream comprising propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The second bottoms stream is distilled to produce a third overhead stream comprising an azeotrope of tertiary butyl alcohol and water and a third bottoms stream comprising propylene glycol and water.

Abstract: This invention is a process for producing propylene oxide. The process comprises first contacting a titanium zeolite with a reaction feed comprising propylene, hydrogen peroxide, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water to produce a product stream comprising propylene, propylene oxide, propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The product stream is distilled to produce a first overhead stream comprising propylene and a first bottoms stream comprising propylene oxide, propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The first bottoms stream is distilled to produce a second overhead stream comprising propylene oxide and a second bottoms product stream comprising propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The second bottoms stream is distilled to produce a third overhead stream comprising an azeotrope of tertiary butyl alcohol and water and a third bottoms stream comprising propylene glycol and water.

Abstract: A device for reacting fluids comprising: a reactor; a first inlet for transporting a first fluid into the reactor; a first tube system contained within the reactor and connected to and communicating with the first inlet for receiving the first fluid from the first inlet, the first tube system comprising at least one first tube in the form of a ring, the at least one first tube comprising outlets for releasing the first fluid into the reactor; a second inlet for transporting a second fluid into the reactor; and a second tube system contained within the reactor and connected to and communicating with the second inlet for receiving the second fluid from the second inlet, the second tube system comprising at least one second tube in the form of a ring, the at least one second tube comprising outlets for releasing the second fluid into the reactor; wherein at least one first tube and at least one second tube are concentric, and the outlets for releasing the first fluid from the at least one first tube and

Abstract: A process for making propylene oxide from propylene is disclosed. Propylene, hydrogen, and oxygen are reacted in a slurry comprising a catalyst and a solvent to produce a gaseous product stream and a liquid product stream. The gaseous product stream is contacted with an absorbent to produce a gas effluent and a liquid effluent. The gas effluent is recycled to the reaction step.

Abstract: A process for making propylene oxide from propylene is disclosed. Propylene, hydrogen, and oxygen are reacted in a slurry comprising a catalyst and a solvent to produce a gaseous product stream and a liquid product stream. The gaseous product stream is contacted with an absorbent to produce a gas effluent and a liquid effluent. The gas effluent is recycled to the reaction step.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for reacting an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen in a slurry comprising a catalyst and a solvent in a reactor. The gas bubbles in the slurry are in a churn-turbulent flow regime. The process gives improved yield and operational and maintenance advantages.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for reacting an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen in a slurry comprising a catalyst and a solvent in a reactor having a column and at least one side arm. The column is operated in a churn-turbulent flow regime. The slurry is circulated through the side arm, filtered, and exits the reactor.

Abstract: In a propylene oxide process wherein propylene is oxidized in a reaction mixture comprised of a solid catalyst slurried in a solvent and wherein propane and propylene are separated by distillation in a C3 splitter, the improvement of removing exothermic heat of reaction by indirect heat exchange with propane, separating the heated propane into a liquid and a vapor fraction and heating the C3 splitter distillation with the said propane vapor.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a noble metal and a titanium or vanadium zeolite in a solvent mixture comprising water, methanol, and a C3–C6 aliphatic ketone. This process surprisingly gives significantly reduced by-product glycol and glycol ethers formed by the unwanted ring-opening of epoxides.

Abstract: An aqueous stream containing propylene glycol and/or ethers thereof is treated by counter current liquid—liquid extraction with propylene and/or propane to separate the propylene glycol and/or ether from the aqueous stream.