THE CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF ETHYLENE TO ETHYLENE OXIDE

Abstract

The catalytic oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide was investigated in flow experiments over silver catalysts at atmospheric pressure between 260° and 350 °C. Calcium oxalate and stannous oxide were used as catalyst promoters. Close temperature control was provided by mounting the catalyst on a silver support. At 270 °C. the selectivity increased from about 25%, with ethylene in large excess, to about 55%, with oxygen in large excess. With air constant and in large excess, the over-all reaction rate was found to be proportional to the square root of the ethylene concentration. With ethylene constant and in large excess, the reaction rate was found to be roughly proportional to the oxygen concentration. The presence of methane, ethane, or propane promoted the complete oxidation of ethylene to carbon dioxide and water. In the absence of paraffins the addition of traces of ethylene dichloride only served to poison the catalyst.