Patent ID: 6040467
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: C07C,C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for enhancing the yield of ethylene oxide by reducing the presence of argon during ethylene oxide production, said method comprisesa) combining ethylene, high purity gas containing at least 99.5% oxygen and a ballast gas with a recycle gas to form a gaseous reaction mixture;b) feeding said reaction mixture into a catalyst filled reactor such that an effluent emerges therefrom;c) passing at least a portion of said effluent from said reactor to a recovery unit to selectively remove ethylene oxide, thereby forming an ethylene oxide depleted gas stream;d) passing at least a portion of the ethylene oxide depleted gas stream to a stripping unit to selectively remove carbon dioxide therefrom;e) passing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide depleted gas stream to purge and the remaining portion to recycle as a recycle gas;f) recompressing the recycle gas; andg) adjusting the flow of the purge stream to effectively reduce the concentration of argon.