Abstract: In a process for purification of ethylene oxide by distillation an aqueous mixture comprising ethylene oxide, formaldehyde and at least 5% by weight of water is introduced via a feed into a distillation apparatus comprising at least one distillation column, the mixture being introduced at a height above the bottom of at least 8 theoretical stages, the ethylene oxide is taken off at the top and in the bottom phase a mixture is obtained which contains less than 5% by weight of ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A silver catalyst containing one or more alkali metals and also tungsten as promotors for the direct oxidation of ethylene with oxygen to form ethylene oxide, on a porous support substantially consisting of .alpha.-aluminum oxide and having a specific surface area (BET) of from 0.3 to 3 m.sup.2 /g, which contains tungsten in a concentration of from 60 to 330 ppmwt, based on the total catalyst, per m.sup.2 of surface area for each gram of supporting material.

Abstract: Supported silver catalysts which contain one or more alkali metals are prepared in a two-stage process by doping a basic catalyst which contains silver in metallic form and may also contain lithium with the heavy alkali metal sodium, potassium, rubidium and/or cesium using an impregnating solution which contains the heavy alkali metal and one or more nitrates of the general formulaR.sup.+ NO.sub.3.sup.-wherein R.sup.+ is an ammonium, hydrazinium, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -monoalkylammonium, C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 -dialkylammonium, C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 -trialkylammonium or C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 -tetraalkylammonium cation.

Abstract: A silver catalyst containing lithium and cesium as promoters for the direct oxidation of ethylene with oxygen to give ethylene oxide is applied to a porous carrier and essentially consists of .alpha.-alumina and contains certain amounts of soluble calcium, aluminum, potassium and sodium salts. The carrier has a BET surface area of from 0.4 to 0.8 m.sup.2 /g, a pore volume of not less than 0.45 ml/g, the pores being equally accessible to cold and warm water, a bulk density of less than 700 kg/m.sup.3 and a shape which, in the reactor, provides a geometrical surface area of not less than 600 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3, on which more than 13% by weight of silver are applied as active component and more than 115 kg of silver are available per m.sup.3 of reactor, and from 100 to 300 ppm by weight of lithium and from 200 to 600 ppm by weight of cesium are present as promoters. A process for the preparation of the silver catalyst and its use for the oxidation of ethylene are described.

Abstract: A silver catalyst for the direct oxidation of ethylene with oxygen to give ethylene oxide is applied on a porous carrier and essentially consists of .alpha.-alumina and contains certain amounts of soluble calcium, aluminum, potassium and sodium salts. The carrier has a BET surface area of from 0.2 to 0.8 m.sup.2 /g, a pore volume of not less than 0.5 ml/g, the pores being equally accessible to cold and warm water, and a bulk density of less than 650 kg/m.sup.3, and has a shape which, in the reactor, provides a geometric surface area of not less than 600 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3, on which more than 13% by weight of silver are applied as the active component, more than 110 kg of silver being available per m.sup.3 of reactor.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a process for regenerating silver-containing carrier catalysts used in the preparation of ethylene oxide which comprises treating a deactivated catalyst with a solution comprising a potassium, rubidium, or cesium compound and a reducing agent. The subject process provides improved catalyst regeneration.