Disclosed are gas-phase ODH and OCP processes for converting alkanes (e.g., C.sub.2H.sub.6 and C.sub.3H.sub.8) to alkenes (e.g., C.sub.2H.sub.4 and C.sub.3H.sub.6) or oxygenates (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, or propylene oxide) or converting alkenes (e.g., ethylene and propene) and oxygenates (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or propylene oxide) to longer carbon-chain alkenes or longer carbon-chain alkanes with or without solid catalysts.

An ethylene oxide (EO) production process comprising (a) introducing a first reactant mixture (C.sub.2H.sub.6, O.sub.2) to a first reactor to produce a first effluent stream (C.sub.2H.sub.4, C.sub.2H.sub.6, O.sub.2); (b) introducing a second reactant mixture to a second reactor to produce a second effluent stream (EO, C.sub.2H.sub.4, C.sub.2H.sub.6, O.sub.2); wherein the second reactant mixture comprises at least a portion of first effluent stream; (c) separating the second effluent stream into an EO product stream (EO) and recycle stream (C.sub.2H.sub.4, C.sub.2H.sub.6, O.sub.2); wherein ethylene is not separated from recycle stream and/or first effluent stream; and (d) recycling a first portion of recycle stream to the first reactor, and a second portion of recycle stream to the second reactor; wherein recycle split ratio <0.6; and wherein recycle split ratio is defined as ratio of volumetric flowrate of first portion of recycle stream divided by the sum of volumetric flowrates of first portion and second portion of recycle stream.

An ethylene oxide (EO) production process comprising (a) introducing a first reactant mixture (C.sub.2H.sub.6, O.sub.2) to a first reactor to produce a first effluent stream (C.sub.2H.sub.4, C.sub.2H.sub.6, O.sub.2); (b) introducing a second reactant mixture to a second reactor to produce a second effluent stream (EO, C.sub.2H.sub.4, C.sub.2H.sub.6, O.sub.2); wherein the second reactant mixture comprises at least a portion of first effluent stream; (c) separating the second effluent stream into an EO product stream (EO) and recycle stream (C.sub.2H.sub.4, C.sub.2H.sub.6, O.sub.2); wherein ethylene is not separated from recycle stream and/or first effluent stream; and (d) recycling a first portion of recycle stream to the first reactor, and a second portion of recycle stream to the second reactor; wherein recycle split ratio <0.6; and wherein recycle split ratio is defined as ratio of volumetric flowrate of first portion of recycle stream divided by the sum of volumetric flowrates of first portion and second portion of recycle stream.

A chemical molding comprising a zeolitic material which exhibits a type I nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm determined as described in Reference Example 1, and which has framework type MFI and a framework structure comprising Si, O, and Ti, the molding further comprising a binder for said zeolitic material, the binder comprising Si and O, wherein the molding exhibits a total pore volume of at least 0.4 mL/g and a crushing strength of at least 6 N.

A chemical molding comprising a zeolitic material which exhibits a type I nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm determined as described in Reference Example 1, and which has framework type MFI and a framework structure comprising Si, O, and Ti, the molding further comprising a binder for said zeolitic material, the binder comprising Si and O, wherein the molding exhibits a total pore volume of at least 0.4 mL/g and a crushing strength of at least 6 N.

Systems and methods for producing ethylene oxide (EO) are disclosed. Ethylene oxide is produced by direct oxidizing ethylene with oxygen in a reactor. The effluent from the reactor is processed to produce (a) a product stream comprising water and ethylene oxide, (b) a reabsorber overhead stream comprising ethylene, methane, argon, and carbon dioxide, and (c) a carbonate flash gas stream comprising carbon dioxide, ethylene, methane, and water. The reabsorber overhead stream and the carbonate flash gas stream are combined to form a reclaim gas stream. The reclaimed gas stream is separated in a membrane separation unit to remove carbon dioxide and argon, forming a recycle stream comprising primarily ethylene and methane, collectively.

Systems and methods for producing ethylene oxide (EO) are disclosed. Ethylene oxide is produced by direct oxidizing ethylene with oxygen in a reactor. The effluent from the reactor is processed to produce (a) a product stream comprising water and ethylene oxide, (b) a reabsorber overhead stream comprising ethylene, methane, argon, and carbon dioxide, and (c) a carbonate flash gas stream comprising carbon dioxide, ethylene, methane, and water. The reabsorber overhead stream and the carbonate flash gas stream are combined to form a reclaim gas stream. The reclaimed gas stream is separated in a membrane separation unit to remove carbon dioxide and argon, forming a recycle stream comprising primarily ethylene and methane, collectively.

In a process for the oxidation of a lower alkene, such as ethylene, over a catalyst containing Cu and one or more zeolite or zeotype materials, the oxidation is conducted in the presence of ammonia in the feed gas at a process temperature below 350 C. The oxidation can be performed in a continuous process.

In a process for the oxidation of a lower alkene, such as ethylene, over a catalyst containing Cu and one or more zeolite or zeotype materials, the oxidation is conducted in the presence of ammonia in the feed gas at a process temperature below 350 C. The oxidation can be performed in a continuous process.

An improved process for the recovery of ethylene oxide from the aqueous scrubbing solution in which the ethylene oxide is recovered into a vaporous stream highly enriched in ethylene oxide.