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.

A method for producing propylene oxide involves an oxidation step, a distillation step, an epoxidation step, and a separation step. The distillation step involves distilling the reaction mixture containing cumene hydroperoxide to separate it into a concentrate containing cumene hydroperoxide and a distillate. The reaction mixture is continuously distilled so that the ratio of the flow rate of the distillate to the flow rate of the reaction mixture to be distilled is 0.037 to 0.13. The epoxidation step involves obtaining a reaction mixture containing propylene oxide and cumyl alcohol by contacting the concentrate with propylene in the presence of a catalyst in one or more reactors to cause a reaction between propylene and cumene hydroperoxide in the concentrate, in which the outlet temperature of the final reactor is adjusted to 115 C. or more and less than 140 C.

The invention relates to a process (100), in which, with the inclusion of an air-separation method (10), an oxygen-rich substance flow (b) is formed, which is subjected with a methane-rich substance flow (e) to a method for oxidative coupling of methane (20). From a product flow (e) of the method for oxidative coupling of methane (20), a carbon-dioxide-rich substance flow (i) is formed and subjected to a urea-synthesis method (50). A corresponding combined plant also forms the subject matter of the invention.

The invention relates to a process (100), in which, with the inclusion of an air-separation method (10), an oxygen-rich substance flow (b) is formed, which is subjected with a methane-rich substance flow (e) to a method for oxidative coupling of methane (20). From a product flow (e) of the method for oxidative coupling of methane (20), a carbon-dioxide-rich substance flow (i) is formed and subjected to a urea-synthesis method (50). A corresponding combined plant also forms the subject matter of the invention.

A method for producing propylene oxide involves an oxidation step, a distillation step, an epoxidation step, and a separation step. The distillation step involves distilling the reaction mixture containing cumene hydroperoxide to separate it into a concentrate containing cumene hydroperoxide and a distillate. The reaction mixture is continuously distilled so that the ratio of the flow rate of the distillate to the flow rate of the reaction mixture to be distilled is 0.037 to 0.13. The epoxidation step involves obtaining a reaction mixture containing propylene oxide and cumyl alcohol by contacting the concentrate with propylene in the presence of a catalyst in one or more reactors to cause a reaction between propylene and cumene hydroperoxide in the concentrate, in which the outlet temperature of the final reactor is adjusted to 115 C. or more and less than 140 C.

A carrier having at least three lobes, a first end, a second end, a wall between the ends and a non-uniform radius of transition at the intersection of an end and the wall is disclosed. A catalyst comprising the carrier, silver and promoters deposited on the carrier and useful for the epoxidation of olefins is also disclosed. A method for making the carrier, a method for making the catalyst and a process for epoxidation of an olefin with the catalyst are also disclosed.

A carrier having at least three lobes, a first end, a second end, a wall between the ends and a non-uniform radius of transition at the intersection of an end and the wall is disclosed. A catalyst comprising the carrier, silver and promoters deposited on the carrier and useful for the epoxidation of olefins is also disclosed. A method for making the carrier, a method for making the catalyst and a process for epoxidation of an olefin with the catalyst are also disclosed.

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.

Described herein are improved chemical reactors for carrying out partial oxidation reactions. The chemical reactor permits the use of levels of oxygen above the lower explosion limit (LEL) typically used in partial oxidation reactions, which increases both volumetric reactivity and conversion per pass, resulting in reduced separation and reactant recycle costs. Also described are methods of using the reactors.