Abstract: A start-up process for epoxidation of ethylene is provided. The process includes initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst at a first temperature of about 180° C. to about 210° C. The first temperature is increased to a second temperature of about 230° C. to about 290° C., over a time period of about 6 hours to about 50 hours, while simultaneously adding a sufficient concentration of moderator so that the amount of moderator adsorbed on the catalyst after achieving the second temperature is from about 10 to about 50 g/m3 of catalyst. The second temperature is maintained for about 50 hours to about 350 hours, while regulating the feed gas composition to contain about 0.5% to about 25% CO2. The second temperature is decreased to a third temperature, while simultaneously increasing moderator concentration to a level greater than the sufficient concentration.

Abstract: A start-up process for epoxidation of ethylene is provided. The process includes initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst at a first temperature of about 180° C. to about 210° C. The first temperature is increased to a second temperature of about 230° C. to about 290° C., over a time period of about 6 hours to about 50 hours, while simultaneously adding a sufficient concentration of moderator so that the amount of moderator adsorbed on the catalyst after achieving the second temperature is from about 10 to about 50 g/m3 of catalyst. The second temperature is maintained for about 50 hours to about 350 hours, while regulating the feed gas composition to contain about 0.5% to about 25% CO2. The second temperature is decreased to a third temperature, while simultaneously increasing moderator concentration to a level greater than the sufficient concentration.

Abstract: A process for initiating a highly selective ethylene oxide catalyst is provided in which the highly selective ethylene oxide catalyst is operated first as a ‘standard’ Ag-based catalyst (e.g., a catalyst that contains only silver and alkali metal, especially cesium). Moreover, the inventive initiation procedure is more efficient when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the feed is higher than 6 vol. %, and even more efficient when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the feed is higher than 10 vol. %, of the feed mixture during the initiation period.

Abstract: A process for initiating a highly selective ethylene oxide catalyst is provided in which the highly selective ethylene oxide catalyst is operated first as a ‘standard’ Ag-based catalyst (e.g., a catalyst that contains only silver and alkali metal, especially cesium). Moreover, the inventive initiation procedure is more efficient when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the feed is higher than 6 vol. %, and even more efficient when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the feed is higher than 10 vol. %, of the feed mixture during the initiation period.