Abstract: There is provided a method of producing ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol capable of reducing a concentration in discharged water of 1,4-dioxane contained generated in a step of producing ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol. A method of producing ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol includes a predetermined step of producing ethylene oxide, and a step of extracting a part of a column bottom liquid of an ethylene oxide stripping column in the step of producing ethylene oxide and supplying the extracted column bottom liquid to a by-produced ethylene glycol concentration column, concentrating ethylene glycol produced as a by-product in the step of producing ethylene oxide, and distilling and separating 1,4-dioxane produced as a by-product in the step of producing ethylene oxide, wherein the by-produced ethylene glycol concentration column is a divided wall distillation column.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of ethylene oxide and, optionally, ethylene glycol. A base is added at various positions downstream of the quench section of an ethylene oxide absorber. This mitigates corrosion in the ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol plant.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of ethylene oxide (EO) from fat absorbent (FA) which comprises providing a feed of elevated temperature FA to an EO Stripper, providing a stripping gas feed and contacting the stripping gas feed at elevated temperature with the elevated temperature FA feed, obtaining stripped lean absorbent (LA) and an EO-containing gas, and providing one or more external process stream feeds to the EO Stripper at a location above the elevated temperature FA feed and at a lower temperature with respect to the elevated temperature FA feed thereby concentrating EO in the EO-containing gas. The process can also include one or more impurity removal stages in the form of one or more side draws from the EO Stripper or an EO Stripper Concentrator. The invention also includes an apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: Systems and processes for recovering alkylene oxide, including an alkylene oxide recovery column including a stripping section located in the column to convert a portion of a feed stream to a gas phase including alkylene oxide; a reabsorption section in the column above the stripping section including a water stream to reabsorb the alkylene oxide in the gas phase portion and to produce an aqueous solution, a first stripping gas to strip carbon dioxide and oxygen from the aqueous solution by converting a portion of the aqueous solution to a gaseous portion, producing an alkylene oxide stream, and a side take-off located at a bottom portion of the reabsorption section for removal of the alkylene oxide stream; a condenser to partially condense the gas phase portion; and a top take-off for removal of a light impurity fraction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catalytic method of converting alkenes to epoxides. This method generally includes reacting alkenes with oxygen in the presence of a specific silver catalyst under conditions suitable to produce a yield of the epoxides. The specific silver catalyst is a silver nanocrystal having a plurality of surface planes, a substantial portion of which is defined by Miller indices of (100). The reaction is performed by charging a suitable reactor with this silver catalyst and then feeding the reactants to the reactor under conditions to carry out the reaction. The reaction may be performed in batch, or as a continuous process that employs a recycle of any unreacted alkenes. The specific silver catalyst has unexpectedly high selectivity for epoxide products. Consequently, this general method (and its various embodiments) will result in extraordinarily high epoxide yields heretofore unattainable.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of ethylene oxide (EO) from fat absorbent (FA) which comprises providing a feed of elevated temperature FA to an EO Stripper, providing a stripping gas feed and contacting the stripping gas feed at elevated temperature with the elevated temperature FA feed, obtaining stripped lean absorbent (LA) and an EO-containing gas, and providing one or more external process stream feeds to the EO Stripper at a location above the elevated temperature FA feed and at a lower temperature with respect to the elevated temperature FA feed thereby concentrating EO in the EO-containing gas. The process can also include one or more impurity removal stages in the form of one or more side draws from the EO Stripper or an EO Stripper Concentrator. The invention also includes an apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: An improved process for the recovery of a high-purity, ethylene oxide-water stream for use as feed to integrated ethylene glycol or ethylene oxide purification reactors by first contacting the gaseous effluent from ethylene oxide reactors with an aqueous alkaline quench solution water wash, then absorbing ethylene oxide from the washed vapor into process water to produce a dilute EO-water absorbate of which 10-90% is sent directly to the EO reabsorber/residual absorber, thereby bypassing the EO stripper.

Abstract: In an ethylene oxide process, the stripping and reabsorption operations, normally carried out in separate vessels, are carried out in a single vessel which is divided by a baffle into separate sections where reabsorption and stripping are carried out.

Abstract: A method of separating propylene oxide from a mixture (M) comprising 5 to 50 percent by weight propylene oxide and 50 to 85 percent by weight methanol, said method comprising (i) introducing said mixture (M) into an extractive distillation column; (ii) additionally introducing a polar solvent into said extractive distillation column; (iii) distilling propylene oxide overhead from said extractive distillation column at a bottoms temperature of from 40 to 70° C. and at a pressure of from 300 to 750 mbar.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for reacting an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a transition metal zeolite and a noble metal to produce a reaction mixture comprising an epoxide and acidic byproducts. A portion of the reaction mixture is contacted with an adsorbent so that a treated mixture having a reduced amount of byproducts is produced. The treated mixture is recycled back to the reactor. Including an adsorption step should improve the catalyst productivity and epoxide selectivity.

Abstract: Described is a method of improving the process and operation of an existing system for manufacturing ethylene oxide. The ethylene oxide manufacturing system includes an epoxidation reactor system containing a volume of high activity epoxidation catalyst. The method includes replacing a portion of the volume of high activity epoxidation catalyst with a volume of high selectivity catalyst, and modifying the operation of the process system so as to provide for a feed to the epoxidation reactor system having a reduced carbon dioxide concentration.

Abstract: A process for the formation of ethylene oxide wherein the presence of at least one hydrocarbon having four carbon atoms per molecule in the recycle loop gas of the process is used as an indicator of impending post-ignition conditions.

Abstract: A process for the regeneration of a zeolite catalyst which comprises treating the catalyst thermally in the presence of a gas stream at temperatures above 120° C., the weight-based residence time of the gas stream over the catalyst during the thermal treatment being greater than 2 hours.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of suppressing a decrease in optical purity due to the exposure to heat during distillation of an optically active epoxide to permit an optically active epoxide of high quality to be simply obtained on an industrial scale. In the method, an optically active epoxide is distilled in the presence of a base to suppress a decrease in optical purity.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of combustible components of a gas stream containing the combustible components and oxygen by selective absorption of the combustible components in a solvent, whereby during the absorption the gas phase is dispersed in a continuous liquid phase of the solvent. In a preferred embodiment the process is applied to give a process for the epoxidation of propene with hydrogen peroxide in the alcoholic solvent in presence of a catalyst, wherein a gas stream including unreacted propene, propene oxide and oxygen from the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide is separated from the epoxidation reaction mixture and the combustible components in said gas stream are recovered using the process as described above.

Abstract: A method for processing at least one cyclic organo-oxide using a closed loop scrubber/holding tank system that contains at least one amine, and circulating the amine through the closed loop while admitting the cyclic organo-oxide to the closed loop.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent gas obtained by the vapor phase, catalytic, partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst wherein the epoxybutene-laden epoxidation product gas is reacted with a water-miscible solvent to absorb the epoxybutene. The disclosed process includes a method of separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: A process for the working up of a product stream from the epoxidation of olefins that contains olefin, olefin oxide, water-miscible organic solvent and water, by separating this product stream into an overhead product containing olefin, olefin oxide and organic solvent, and into a bottom product containing organic solvent and water, wherein the separation takes place in a pre-evaporator with less than 10 theoretical separation stages at a pressure of 1.5 to less than 3 bar, and 20 to 60% of the total amount of organic solvent introduced with the product stream is removed with the overhead product and the balance remains in the bottom product. A process for the epoxidation of olefins that includes this working up stage is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixture of propylene oxide and methanol is separated by liquid/liquid extraction using water and a hydrocarbon such as n-octane as extractive solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recovering 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxybutene-laden reaction product gas by absorption into a high-boiling solvent. Also disclosed is a process for the purification of the epoxybutene by separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process treating the cycle gas from an ethylene oxide reactor to avoid heat losses in a carbonate scrubbing system as well as glycol formation in the carbonate scrubbing and catalyst contamination upon cycle gas recycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from a reaction product gas, obtained by the vapor phase catalytic partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene with oxygen over a silver catalyst. The recovery and purification comprises absorption of the epoxybutene into a water-miscible solvent followed by separation of the absorbed epoxybutene from the absorbent by extraction into a water-immiscible solvent. A method of recovering and purifying epoxybutene from the extraction solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps also is disclosed.

Abstract: A process and catalysts for the direct oxidation of an olefin having three or more carbon atoms, such as propylene, by oxygen to an olefin oxide, such as propylene oxide. The process involves contacting the olefin under reaction conditions with oxygen in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst. The catalyst contains silver and titanium, optionally gold, and optionally, at least one promoter element selected from Group 1, Group 2, zinc, cadmium, the lanthanide rare earths, and the actinide elements. Suitable supports include titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide on silica, titanosilicates, promoter metal titanates, titanium dispersed on silica and promoter metal silicates.

Abstract: Propylene oxide obtained by an epoxidation process which uses methanol as a solvent may be effectively treated to remove acetaldehyde by subjecting the crude epoxidation reaction product to fractional distillation. The methanol solvent is utilized during such distillation to lower the relative volatility of the acetaldehyde impurity, thereby making it possible to obtain a bottoms fraction containing substantially all the acetaldehyde. Purified propylene oxide having a reduced acetaldehyde concentration is removed as an overhead stream. Water may also be effectively separated from the propylene oxide using this procedure.

Abstract: A process for recovering 3,4-epoxy-1-butene from a vapor phase catalytic oxidation reactor effluent where 1,3-butadiene is reacted with oxygen over a silver catalyst, the process includes the steps of contacting the reactor effluent with an absorbent in an absorber and vaporizing in the absorber an effective amount of a non-reactive coolant to cool the absorber to a temperature of less than about 40.degree. C. and a pressure of less than about 4 bar. Advantageously, the vaporization of the non-reactive coolant proximate to the absorber allows the absorber to be operated at lower temperatures and pressures than heretofore possible and provides a further advantage of allowing higher O.sub.2 concentrations in the feed to the epoxidation reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved processes for the recovery of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent comprising epoxybutane, butadiene, oxygen and an inert diluent obtained by the selective epoxidation of butadiene with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst and an inert gas. Epoxybutene is separated from the effluent by means of an absorption process using an extractant comprising liquid butadiene and, optionally, a hydrocarbon diluent. The formation of butenediols, by the reaction of epoxybutene and water, in the recovery process is inhibited by the addition of a base, preferably an alkali metal base, to the recovery system.

Abstract: A method of controlling the build-up of organic and/or inorganic contaminants (e.g., carbonates, nitrates, nitrites, and the like) in an aqueous process stream, comprising directing at least some of the contaminated stream to a heating means wherein at least some of the contaminants are decomposed. Thereafter, the decomposition products are removed and the purified stream is returned to the process. In a preferred embodiment, the process is an alkylene oxide manufacturing process, and the contaminated aqueous stream is the effluent from a catalyzed scrubbing system for removal of carbon dioxide. Organic contaminants are decomposed to carbon dioxide, which is flashed off; inorganic salts which are decomposed to gases are flashed off; inorganic salts which are not converted to gases are scrubbed out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering ethylene oxide comprising the steps of:bringing a mixed gas containing ethylene oxide into contact with an absorbent so as to cause the absorbent to absorb the ethylene oxide; andstripping and separating said ethylene oxide to recover it from the absorbent, where the absorbent contains propylene carbonate. By employing the present invention, it is possible to reduce the heat recovery loss resulting from cooling the absorbent at the time of transfer from the stripping step to the absorption step, to about one-third that compared with a conventional system using water, without producing the by-product ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing ethylene oxide is presented in ethylene and free oxygen are reacted in the presence of methane, carbon dioxide, and argon in a reactor to form an effluent comprising ethylene oxide; the effluent is then withdrawn and ethylene oxide is removed from the effluent to obtain a recycle stream; carbon dioxide and argon are removed from the recycle stream to obtain a treated recycle stream which is supplied to the reactor along with additional reactants and methane, wherein removing argon comprises separating a side stream from the recycle stream, passing the side stream to the feed inlet of a membrane unit, removing an argon-containing stream from the permeate outlet of the membrane unit, removing a retentate stream from the retentate outlet of the membrane unit, adding the retentate stream to the recycle stream, and purging the permeate side of the membrane unit with inert gas.

Abstract: A method, especially applicable on a continuous basis to commercial process streams, for treating unwanted by-products and/or impurities contained in those streams. The method comprises the reaction in situ of such by-products or impurities with a reagent, preferably selected for its reactivity under ambient conditions of the process stream, to produce one or more materials which may then be separated from the process by economical means. The treated stream may be recycled to the process for further processing. While the method is not limited as to the process to which it is applied nor to the reagent or reagents used, in one convenient embodiment, formaldehyde in aqueous solution is reacted with an alkali metal sulfite or bisulfite to produce the corresponding salt, which may then be separated essentially completely by, e.g., distillation or membrane separation, etc., or its concentration in the process may be controlled by, e.g., continuous removal of a purge stream, etc.

Abstract: A gas stream from a reaction in which ethylene oxide is produced by reacting ethylene with oxygen which gas stream comprises oxides of nitrogen and steam the gas stream is cooled to condense water, condensed water is removed, and ethylene oxide is then recovered from the gas stream. A substantial amount of the oxides of nitrogen is removed from the gas stream during the condensation.

Abstract: A gas stream from a reaction in which ethylene oxide is produced by reacting ethylene with oxygen which gas stream comprises oxides of nitrogen and steam the gas stream is contacted with an aqueous alkaline quench solution and ethylene oxide is then recovered from the gas stream. A substantial amount of oxides of nitrogen is removed from the gas stream during the treatment with the quench solution.

Abstract: Fluorine-substituted epoxides of the formula ##STR1## in which the substituents R.sub.1 to R.sub.4, independently of one another, have the following meanings:R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 =H, fluorine, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.18 -alkyl in which some or all of the hydrogens may be substituted by fluorine, and at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 is a completely fluorinated alkyl or an alkyl of the formula--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --(C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1),in which m is 1 or 2, and n is an integer from 1 to 17, and x is 0 or 1.Furthermore, a method for the preparation of fluorine-substituted epoxides is described.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved processes for the recovery of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EpB) from an epoxidation effluent comprising EpB, butadiene, oxygen and butane obtained by the selective epoxidation of butadiene with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst and an inert gas. EpB is separated from the effluent by means of an absorption process using liquid mixture of butadiene and butane as the absorbent material. The inclusion of butane in the epoxidation and recovery processes permits the use of lower pressures in the absorption of the EpB product.

Abstract: A process for purifying propylene oxide containing an unacceptable quantity of a poly(propylene oxide) polymer contaminant having a molecular weight of at least about 50,000, comprising the step of filtering propylene oxide containing such polymer contaminant through one or more membranes to provide a propylene oxide product fraction having an acceptable quantity of poly(propylene oxide) polymer contaminant therein and a second fraction which is more highly concentrated in such polymer contaminant.

Abstract: In a direct-oxidation ethylene oxide process of the type comprising a) reacting a feed gas stream including ethylene and a commercially-pure oxygen in one or more reactors and b) absorbing out ethylene oxide from the product stream from the one or more reactors in a first absorption zone, the improvement comprising recovering unreacted ethylene from an ethylene-rich argon purge gas stream via an absorber and a stripper in combination, recycling the recovered ethylene to the feed gas stream, and purging an ethylene-lean argon purge gas stream.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the manunfacture of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EpB) and, particularly, for the recovery of EpB from an epoxidation effluent comprising EpB, butadiene, oxygen and an inert gas obtained by the selective epoxidation of butadiene with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst and an inert gas. EpB is separated from the effluent by means of an absorption process using liquid butadiene as the absorbent material.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of oxides from hydrocarbons by reaction with oxygen, air or a gas enriched in oxygen relative to air, preferably the latter, in the presence of a suitable catalyst. An alkane, e.g. propane, is converted to an alkene in a catalytic dehydrogenator. The product stream is introduced into an oxidation reactor. Product formed therein is recovered in a conventional quench tower. The pressure of the gaseous effluent from the quench tower is raised and it is introduced into an absorber/stripper unit to form a recycle stream containing unreacted alkane and alkene as well as a minor amount of oxygen, typically 1-2 percent by volume, and a waste stream comprising the remainder of the quench tower gaseous phase. The recycle stream enters a selective oxidation unit wherein oxygen is removed, and the product recycled to the dehydrogenator.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the production of oxides from hydrocarbons by reaction with oxygen, air or a gas enriched in oxygen relative to air, preferably the latter in the presence of an oxidation catalyst. An alkane, e.g. propane, is converted to an alkene in a catalytic dehydrogenator. The product stream is introduced into an oxidation reactor. The product formed therein is recovered in a conventional quench tower. The gaseous effluent from the quench tower is treated in a separator to produce an adsorbed stream, an oxygen-enriched stream, a waste stream and, if desired, a hydrogen-enriched stream. The oxygen-enriched stream may be recycled to the oxidation reactor depending on the nitrogen content thereof. The adsorbed stream plus at least a portion of the hydrogen-enriched stream is introduced into a selective oxidation unit to remove the remaining oxygen and then recycled to the dehydrogenator. The remainder of the hydrogen-enriched stream, if any, may be taken as product or vented.

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: In the recovery of ethylene oxide from the gas resulting from catalytic gas-phase oxidation of ethylene with a molecular oxygen-containing gas and consequently containing ethylene oxide, a method which comprises subjecting the bottom liquid of an ethylene oxide stripper to a flashing treatment thereby separating the bottom liquid into a vapor-phase part and a liquid-phase part, introducing the vapor-phase part in a compressed state into the bottom of the ethylene oxide stripper, and circulating the liquid-phase part to the absorber. The liquid-phase part, after exchanging heat with the bottom of the ethylene oxide absorber, is caused by a heat pump to liberate thermal energy and generate steam. Further, the liquid-phase part can be used as a heat source for the ethylene oxide refiner and/or the light ends stripper. Moreover, the gas from the top of the ethylene oxide stripper can be used as a heat source for the ethylene oxide refiner.

Abstract: In a process of producing ethylene oxide by contacting ethylene and oxygen with a main body of a solid catalyst in a reaction zone and passing product from that zone through a substantial volume to a cooler, acetaldehyde is produced by isomerization of ethylene oxide in the volume. The acetaldehyde content of the gases entering the cooler is reduced in this invention by passing them through a second, smaller bed of catalyst before the gases are passed to the cooler.

Abstract: Ethylene oxide is produced by contacting ethylene and oxygen in the presence of a chlorine containing reaction modifier with a silver containing catalyst, nitropropane being also present. The nitropropane raises the selectivity of the process.

Abstract: A process for preparation of glycols in which the vapor remaining after the partial condensation of a conventional ethylene oxide stripper overhead vapor stream is contacted with an aqueous solution of ethylene carbonate to recover ethylene oxide. No water need be removed from the enriched ethylene carbonate stream. Carbon dioxide is added and ethylene carbonate is formed by reaction at about 50.degree. to 200.degree. C. and 5 to 150 kg/cm.sup.2 gauge in the presence of a suitable catalyst, preferably about 0.5-20 wt % of an organic phosphonium halide. After stripping off unreacted components, the ethylene carbonate is hydrolyzed to glycols in the presence of the same carbonation catalyst and at temperatures in the range of about 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. and pressures of about 5 to 150 kg/cm.sup.2 gauge. Optionally, ethylene oxide and ethylene carbonate may be co-produced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the isothermal absorption of the ethylene oxide contained in the gas from an ethylene oxide production plant.This process is characterized in that the gas is firstly cooled to a temperature of between 5.degree. and 60.degree. C., and is then fed at a pressure which can vary from 1 to 30 atm. to a water-fed isothermal film absorber, from the bottom of which is obtained a high concentration ethylene oxide solution which can be fed directly to a glycol production plant after recovering the ethylene still in solution.By using this process, the absorption plant is simplified compared with known processes, and steam, electricity and cooling water consumption are considerably reduced.

Abstract: Supported silver catalysts, which should have as high an activity as possible, are employed for the manufacture of ethylene oxide by oxidizing ethylene by means of oxygen or air. A process is described for improving the activity of supported silver catalysts which have already been used, in which the used catalyst is first washed with an inert liquid containing ammonia and/or aliphatic amines and 1 to 1,000 parts, per 1 million parts of catalyst, of cesium, rubidium or a mixture thereof is then deposited on the washed catalyst. The deposition is generally effected with the aid of an impregnating solution containing the cesium and/or rubidium compounds in a suitable quantity. This process makes it possible to improve considerably the activity of supported silver catalysts which have already been in use for the oxidation of ethylene by means of oxygen or air.