Process for starting-up an ethylene oxide reactor
First Claim
1. A process for starting up a fixed bed ethylene oxide reactor containing a catalyst consisting essentially of silver and one or more alkali metal promoter(s) supported on an alumina carrier, which process comprises:
- a) heating the reactor to a temperature between about 350°
F. and 475°
F.,b) passing an ethylene-containing gas over the catalyst in the reactor,c) adding a chlorohydrocarbon moderator to the gas passing over the catalyst and after an amount of moderator containing the chlorine equivalent found in about 0.1 to about 5 milliliters (basis liquid) of ethyl chloride per cubic foot of the catalyst has been added, thend) adding oxygen to the gas passing over catalyst, and adjusting the reactor temperature and gas flow rates to operating design conditions.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a process for starting up a fixed bed ethylene oxide reactor containing a supported silver catalyst promoted with one or more alkali metal promoter(s) which involves heating the reactor to slightly below normal operating conditions, passing an ethylene containing gas over the catalyst, adding a chlorohydrocarbon moderator to the gas passing over the catalyst and after approximately 0.1-5 milliliters of moderator (basis liquid) per cubic foot of catalyst has been added, then adding oxygen to the gas passing over the catalyst to initiate the ethylene oxidation reaction and subsequently raising the reactor temperature and gas flow rates to operating conditions.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A process for starting up a fixed bed ethylene oxide reactor containing a catalyst consisting essentially of silver and one or more alkali metal promoter(s) supported on an alumina carrier, which process comprises:
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a) heating the reactor to a temperature between about 350°
F. and 475°
F.,b) passing an ethylene-containing gas over the catalyst in the reactor, c) adding a chlorohydrocarbon moderator to the gas passing over the catalyst and after an amount of moderator containing the chlorine equivalent found in about 0.1 to about 5 milliliters (basis liquid) of ethyl chloride per cubic foot of the catalyst has been added, then d) adding oxygen to the gas passing over catalyst, and adjusting the reactor temperature and gas flow rates to operating design conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 5. The process of claim wherein the chlorohydrocarbon moderator is a C1 to C8 chlorohydrocarbon.
Specification