Patent · US Expired

Process for operating the epoxidation of ethylene

US6372925B1 · kind B1 · utility

29Cited by
6References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 12, 2000
Grant dateApr 16, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/52
  • WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

There is provided a process for the vapor phase oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide in the presence of a supported highly selective silver-based catalyst, the process comprising operating fresh catalyst for an initial operation phase, then operating at a further operation phase when the catalyst has reached an advanced aged defined by a cumulative ethylene oxide production exceeding 1.5 kT EO per m3 of catalyst. In the further operation phase the composition of the reaction mixture is changed to contain from 1.1 to 4 times the concentration of ethylene used in the initial operation phase and the corresponding optimised and safe concentration of oxygen.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.