The present invention relates to an improved epoxidation process and an improved epoxidation reactor. The present invention makes use of a reactor which comprises a plurality of microchannels. Such process microchannels may be adapted such that the epoxidation and optionally other processes can take place in the microchannels and that they are in a heat exchange relation with channels adapted to contain a heat exchange fluid. A reactor comprising such process microchannels is referred to as a “microchannel reactor”. The invention also provides a method of installing an epoxidation catalyst in a microchannel reactor. The invention also provides a method of preparing an epoxidation catalyst. The invention also provides an epoxidation catalyst. The invention also provides a certain process for the epoxidation of an olefin and a process for the preparation of a chemical derivable from an olefin oxide. The invention also provides a microchannel reactor.

Method Of Installing An Epoxidation Catalyst In A Reactor, A Method Of Preparing An Epoxidation Catalyst, An Epoxidation Catalyst, A Process For The Preparation Of An Olefin Oxide Or A Chemical Derivable From An Olefin Oxide, And A Reactor Suitable For Such A Process

In a process for the direct oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide, ethylene is recovered from normally vented gas by contacting first with an activated carbon adsorbent then by pressure swing adsorption with a zeolitic molecular sieve adsorbent.

Process for the production of ethylene oxide

Hydrocarbons are recovered from the product purge gas in an alkene polymerization process by absorption of heavier hydrocarbons from the purge gas by an intermediate hydrocarbon stream to yield a vapor rich in inert gas and alkene monomer. Alkene monomer is condensed at low temperatures from the inert gas, flashed and vaporized to provide refrigeration for the condensation step, and recycled to the polymerization process. The intermediate hydrocarbon from the absorption step is recycled to the polymerization process. Optionally a portion of the inert gas is reused for purge gas.

Recovery of hydrocarbons from polyalkene product purge gas

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.

Alkylene oxide recovery systems

A process for removing at least one compound selected from acetic acid, acetate esters and aldehydes from a gaseous fraction comprising carbon dioxide and such compounds. The process comprises the steps of (a) scrubbing in a scrubber at least part of the gaseous fraction to remove the acetic acid, acetate esters and/or aldehydes and (b) removing carbon dioxide from the scrubbed product of step (a) by absorption in aqueous potassium carbonate and wherein in step (a) the gaseous fraction is scrubbed with water and acetic acid. The process may be used to remove acetate esters such as vinyl acetate and ethyl acetate and aldehydes such as acetaldehyde. The process may be used in (i) the manufacture of vinyl acetate by the reaction of ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst or (ii) in the catalytic oxidation of (a) ethane and/or (b) ethylene to produce respectively (a) acetic acid and/or ethylene and (b) acetic acid.

Process for purifying carbon dioxide-containing gas streams

Process for the simultaneous separation of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide from the gaseous mixtures obtained in the direct oxidation of ethylene with oxygen, comprising A. cooling the gaseous mixture containing ethylene oxide, unreacted ethylene, water vapour, carbon dioxide and inert gases after addition of methanol to a temperature such that the water vapour present separates in the form of an aqueous methanol solution; B. washing the obtained gaseous mixture in an absorption zone with methanol, the methanol being fed into the intermediate part of the absorption zone as a main methanol stream and into the upper part as a secondary methanol stream, maintaining the temperature of the secondary methanol stream at least about 30°C lower than that of the main methanol stream and removing from the upper part a gaseous mixture being practically free of ethylene oxide and containing carbon dioxide and ethylene and from the lower part of the absorption zone a solution of ethylene oxide in methanol; and C. recovering the ethylene oxide from the methanol solution.

Process for the simultaneous separation of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide from the gaseous mixtures obtained in the direct oxidation of ethylene with oxygen

Gioacchino Cocuzza

Papers

Process for the simultaneous separation of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide from the gaseous mixtures obtained in the direct oxidation of ethylene with oxygen