An integrated process for making propylene oxide and propylene glycol involves reacting propene with an oxidant to provide propylene oxide, reacting a fraction of the propylene oxide with water to provide an aqueous glycol solution containing monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, and separating monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol from the glycol solution by a multi-step distillation. The propylene oxide output can be increased without increasing capacity of the unit for reacting propene to propylene oxide, by reacting propene and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst mixture, containing a phase transfer catalyst and a heteropolytungstate, in a liquid reaction mixture which contains an aqueous phase with a maximum apparent pH of 6 and an organic phase. The reaction mixture is separated into an organic phase, which is recycled to the reaction, and an aqueous phase containing monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, which is passed to replace the glycol solution.

An integrated process for making propylene oxide and propylene glycol involves reacting propene with an oxidant to provide propylene oxide, reacting a fraction of the propylene oxide with water to provide an aqueous glycol solution containing monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, and separating monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol from the glycol solution by a multi-step distillation. The propylene oxide output can be increased without increasing capacity of the unit for reacting propene to propylene oxide, by reacting propene and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst mixture, containing a phase transfer catalyst and a heteropolytungstate, in a liquid reaction mixture which contains an aqueous phase with a maximum apparent pH of 6 and an organic phase. The reaction mixture is separated into an organic phase, which is recycled to the reaction, and an aqueous phase containing monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, which is passed to replace the glycol solution.

Disclosed are methods for treating an ethylene oxide stream suitable for use in carbonylation reactions. Such treatment uses an inorganic solid to remove water from the ethylene oxide stream. Discloses are also systems to carry out the methods herein.

Disclosed are methods for treating an ethylene oxide stream suitable for use in carbonylation reactions. Such treatment uses an inorganic solid to remove water from the ethylene oxide stream. Discloses are also systems to carry out the methods herein.

Provided is an epoxy reactive diluent, wherein the content of a compound represented by Formula 1 below is 85% by weight or more based on a total weight of an epoxy reactive diluent composition: ##STR00001## wherein n is 0, 2, 4 or 6.

Provided is an epoxy reactive diluent, wherein the content of a compound represented by Formula 1 below is 85% by weight or more based on a total weight of an epoxy reactive diluent composition: ##STR00001## wherein n is 0, 2, 4 or 6.

Disclosed are a composite absorbent and a method for using same in the absorption and conversion of ethylene oxide for the coupling co-production of ethylene carbonate. The composite absorbent comprises an ionic liquid and ethylene carbonate, wherein the ionic liquid is an imidazole ionic liquid, a quaternary ammonium ionic liquid and a quaternary phosphonium ionic liquid. The composite absorbent is used for absorbing ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, and is also used in the absorption and conversion of ethylene oxide for the coupling co-production of ethylene carbonate.

Disclosed are a composite absorbent and a method for using same in the absorption and conversion of ethylene oxide for the coupling co-production of ethylene carbonate. The composite absorbent comprises an ionic liquid and ethylene carbonate, wherein the ionic liquid is an imidazole ionic liquid, a quaternary ammonium ionic liquid and a quaternary phosphonium ionic liquid. The composite absorbent is used for absorbing ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, and is also used in the absorption and conversion of ethylene oxide for the coupling co-production of ethylene carbonate.

The invention provides a reaction system for the production of ethylene carbonate and/or ethylene glycol. The system having a guard bed system upstream of a catalytic EO reactor. The guard bed system having a feed line supplying a gaseous feed to be treated and an effluent line configured to remove the treated gaseous feed. The guard bed system has two or more guard bed vessels arranged in series in sequential order, each having an inlet, a bed of guard bed material and an outlet. The inlet of each guard bed vessel is attached by means of valves to both the feed line and the outlet of the guard bed vessel preceding it in sequential order. The outlet of each guard bed vessel is attached by means of valves to both the effluent line and to the inlet of the guard bed vessel following it in sequential order.

The invention provides a reaction system for the production of ethylene carbonate and/or ethylene glycol. The system having a guard bed system upstream of a catalytic EO reactor. The guard bed system having a feed line supplying a gaseous feed to be treated and an effluent line configured to remove the treated gaseous feed. The guard bed system has two or more guard bed vessels arranged in series in sequential order, each having an inlet, a bed of guard bed material and an outlet. The inlet of each guard bed vessel is attached by means of valves to both the feed line and the outlet of the guard bed vessel preceding it in sequential order. The outlet of each guard bed vessel is attached by means of valves to both the effluent line and to the inlet of the guard bed vessel following it in sequential order.