Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery and recycling of ethylene oxide (EO) after use in a sterilization process. The process involves the steps of introducing a mixed gas stream containing EO, nitrogen, oxygen, CO2, water, and a few other trace elements. The system includes integrated EO concentration sensors to determine the concentration of the EO in the gas stream. The system includes a series of compressors to pressurize the gas stream, and chillers or condensers to cool the gas stream to condense the EO out of the gas stream. The system includes temperature and pressure sensors to determine the conditions in the gas stream, and a control system that evaluates the temperature and pressure data and controls the compressors and chillers to achieve the properties to maximize the condensation of EO out of the gas stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery and recycling of ethylene oxide (EO) after use in a sterilization process. The process involves the steps of introducing a mixed gas stream containing EO, nitrogen, oxygen, CO2, water, and a few other trace elements. The system includes integrated EO concentration sensors to determine the concentration of the EO in the gas stream. The system includes a series of compressors to pressurize the gas stream, and chillers or condensers to cool the gas stream to condense the EO out of the gas stream. The system includes temperature and pressure sensors to determine the conditions in the gas stream, and a control system that evaluates the temperature and pressure data and controls the compressors and chillers to achieve the properties to maximize the condensation of EO out of the gas stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery and recycling of ethylene oxide (EO) after use in a sterilization process. The process involves the steps of introducing a mixed gas stream containing EO, nitrogen, oxygen, CO2, water, and a few other trace elements. The system includes integrated EO concentration sensors to determine the concentration of the EO in the gas stream. The system includes a series of compressors to pressurize the gas stream, and chillers or condensers to cool the gas stream to condense the EO out of the gas stream. The system includes temperature and pressure sensors to determine the conditions in the gas stream, and a control system that evaluates the temperature and pressure data and controls the compressors and chillers to achieve the properties to maximize the condensation of EO out of the gas stream.

Abstract: In the commercial processes of using ethylene oxides for sterilization and fumigation over 99% of the ethylene oxide used is the process goes unreacted and is discharged from the sterilization/fumigation chamber. This process allows for the capture of ethylene oxide by using temperature, pressure, and both temperature and pressure to condense, separate and recycle the liquefied ethylene oxide from the non-condensable gases. The invention allows the user to recover then recycle the bulk of the exhausted ethylene oxide significantly increasing its utilization thus reducing the quantity of ethylene oxide required to be on-site. As secondary benefits, both feed stock and mitigation costs are significantly reduced.