Patent ID: 8207360

Claim:
A process for producing propylene oxide comprising (a) reacting propylene and an oxidant selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen, in the presence of a solvent having a boiling point of 110 degree C or lower and a catalyst comprising a transition metal zeolite to form a reaction mixture comprising propylene oxide, propylene, the solvent, and the catalyst; (b) distilling the reaction mixture into a vapor stream comprising propylene oxide, propylene, and at least a portion of the solvent, and a slurry stream comprising the solvent and the catalyst; (c) recycling a portion of the slurry stream to step (a); (d) distilling the remaining portion of the slurry stream into the catalyst and the solvent (e) activating the distilled catalyst; (f) recycling the activated distilled catalyst to step (a); (g) recycling the distilled solvent to step (a).