Производство этиленоксида серебряно-каталитическим окислением

Ключевой промежуточный продукт для ПАВ и антифриза

Petrochemical & Refining Global Industrial Scale $45 billion

Обзор

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.

Химический процесс

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)

Сырьё

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

Конечные продукты

  • Ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) — Ethylene glycol, surfactants, ethanolamines (>99.5% purity)
<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M12 9v3.75m-9.303 3.376c-.866 1.5.217 3.374 1.948 3.374h14.71c1.73 0 2.813-1.874 1.948-3.374L13.949 3.378c-.866-1.5-3.032-1.5-3.898 0L2.697 16.126zM12 15.75h.007v.008H12v-.008z" />

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.

Соображения безопасности

Последние инновации

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.

Масштаб производства

35000000

тонн/год

$45 billion

Рыночная стоимость

Больше в Petrochemical & Refining

Каталитический риформинг для получения высокооктанового бензина

Global Industrial Scale

Паровой крекинг для производства этилена

Global Industrial Scale

Полимеризация полиэтилена

Global Industrial Scale

Производство полипропилена катализом по Циглеру–Натта

Global Industrial Scale

Производство полиэфира PET поликонденсацией

Global Industrial Scale

Синтез Фишера–Тропша для синтетических топлив

Commercial Production

Фракционная перегонка нефти

Global Industrial Scale

Frequently Asked Questions

What industry uses Производство этиленоксида серебряно-каталитическим окислением?
Производство этиленоксида серебряно-каталитическим окислением is used in the petrochemical & refining sector at global industrial scale scale.
What process is involved in Производство этиленоксида серебряно-каталитическим окислением?
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 Производство этиленоксида серебряно-каталитическим окислением?
Производство этиленоксида серебряно-каталитическим окислением has a market value of $45 billion and annual production of 35,000,000 tons.
What is the environmental impact of Производство этиленоксида серебряно-каталитическим окислением?
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 Производство этиленоксида серебряно-каталитическим окислением?
The main raw materials include: Ethylene (C₂H₄), Oxygen (O₂), Silver catalyst (Ag/α-Al₂O₃).