은 촉매 산화에 의한 에틸렌 옥사이드 생산

계면활성제와 부동액의 핵심 중간체

Petrochemical & Refining Global Industrial Scale $45 billion

개요

Ethylene oxide (EO) is produced by the direct catalytic oxidation of ethylene over silver catalysts, making it one of the largest-scale selective oxidation processes in the chemical industry. EO is a critical intermediate for ethylene glycol (antifreeze and PET polyester), ethoxylated surfactants, and ethanolamines. The process requires extremely precise reaction control, as the desired partial oxidation competes with complete combustion to CO₂ and water.

화학 공정

Ethylene and oxygen (or air) are passed over promoted silver catalyst (Ag/α-Al₂O₃ with Cs and Re promoters) at 220-280 degrees C and 10-30 bar in multitubular fixed-bed reactors. The EO is absorbed in water from the reactor effluent and recovered by steam stripping. Selectivity is 80-90% with oxygen-based processes.

C₂H₄ + ½O₂ →[Ag catalyst] C₂H₄O (desired, ΔH = −105 kJ/mol)
C₂H₄ + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 2H₂O (undesired total combustion)

원자재

  • Ethylene (C₂H₄) — Steam cracking (Reactant)
  • Oxygen (O₂) — Air separation unit (cryogenic) (Oxidant)
  • Silver catalyst (Ag/α-Al₂O₃) — Specialty catalyst manufacturers (Selective oxidation catalyst)

최종 제품

  • Ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) — Ethylene glycol, surfactants, ethanolamines (>99.5% purity)
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Environmental Impact

EO is a known human carcinogen and potent greenhouse gas. Fugitive emissions from EO plants are tightly regulated. The combustion side reaction wastes feedstock and generates CO₂. Scrubber systems capture EO from vent streams.

안전 고려사항

최근 혁신

High-selectivity catalysts with rhenium and cesium promoters have pushed selectivity above 90%.
Microchannel reactor designs offer improved heat removal and safety.
Electrocatalytic ethylene epoxidation is being explored as a low-temperature alternative.

생산 규모

35000000

톤/년

$45 billion

시장 가치

더 보기: Petrochemical & Refining

폴리에틸렌 중합

Global Industrial Scale

고옥탄가 가솔린을 위한 접촉 개질

Global Industrial Scale

에틸렌 생산을 위한 스팀 분해

Global Industrial Scale

지글러-나타 촉매법에 의한 폴리프로필렌 생산

Global Industrial Scale

합성 연료를 위한 피셔-트롭시 합성

Commercial Production

원유 분별 증류

Global Industrial Scale

중축합에 의한 PET 폴리에스터 생산

Global Industrial Scale

Frequently Asked Questions

What industry uses 은 촉매 산화에 의한 에틸렌 옥사이드 생산?
은 촉매 산화에 의한 에틸렌 옥사이드 생산 is used in the petrochemical & refining sector at global industrial scale scale.
What process is involved in 은 촉매 산화에 의한 에틸렌 옥사이드 생산?
Ethylene and oxygen (or air) are passed over promoted silver catalyst (Ag/α-Al₂O₃ with Cs and Re promoters) at 220-280 degrees C and 10-30 bar in multitubular fixed-bed reactors. The EO is absorbed in water from the reactor effluent and recovered by steam stripping. Selectivity is 80-90% with oxygen
What is the economic significance of 은 촉매 산화에 의한 에틸렌 옥사이드 생산?
은 촉매 산화에 의한 에틸렌 옥사이드 생산 has a market value of $45 billion and annual production of 35,000,000 tons.
What is the environmental impact of 은 촉매 산화에 의한 에틸렌 옥사이드 생산?
EO is a known human carcinogen and potent greenhouse gas. Fugitive emissions from EO plants are tightly regulated. The combustion side reaction wastes feedstock and generates CO₂. Scrubber systems capture EO from vent streams.
What raw materials are used in 은 촉매 산화에 의한 에틸렌 옥사이드 생산?
The main raw materials include: Ethylene (C₂H₄), Oxygen (O₂), Silver catalyst (Ag/α-Al₂O₃).