Patent ID: 6376686
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
A process that comprises reacting an olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in a liquid medium in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst in a reactor system that facilitates transfer of the hydrogen and oxygen to the liquid medium, wherein the reactor system comprises:(a) a tank; (b) a tube in the tank, wherein the tube has an axis and opposite ends; (c) a plurality of impellers disposed in the tube and rotatable about the axis such that the impellers each produce a field or pattern of agitation which shears the liquid medium, the impellers being in sufficiently closely spaced relationship along the axis and extending radially from the axis across the tube such that the agitation is established substantially throughout the entire volume of the tube, wherein the impellers establish flow of the liquid medium in one direction inside the tube and flow in the opposite direction outside the tube; and (d) means for inhibiting flow due to agitation which swirls around the axis.