The Dow Chemical Company

Dow Global Technolgoies LLC

Gary R Strickler

Guo-shuh J Lee

William J Rievert

Von G Landon

Edward E Timm

Daniel J LaPrairie

Philip E Garrou

George J Quarderer, Jr

Chu W Jung

Donald E Zahm

Joerg P Lindner

A process of preparing an olefin oxide, preferably propylene oxide, and an alcohol, such as &#x3b1;-ethylphenyl alcohol, the process involving contacting an olefin, such as propylene, and an organic hydroperoxide, such as ethylbenzene hydroperoxide, in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst, preferably, a homogeneous molybdenum catalyst, in a single reactor system or in a multi-reactor system containing a plurality of sequentially interconnected reactors. Each reactor in the single or multi-reactor system is preferably divided into a plurality of reaction zones designed to facilitate plug flow behavior. The olefin is fed to a first reaction zone in the single reactor system or to a first reactor in the multi-reactor system. The organic hydroperoxide feed is split into a plurality of split organic hydroperoxide feedstreams, and the split feedstreams are distributed throughout the reaction zones, or the reactors, or both.

Process of preparing an olefin oxide from olefin and organic hydroperoxide

The present invention relates to a catalytic process for the preparation of alkylene glycols from alkylene oxide and water. Further, the invention relates to a method of preservation of catalysts in alkylene oxide containing systems. More in particular, it has been found that particular acids have a positive effect on the lifetime of catalyst systems based on anion exchange resins, and particularly those in the bicarbonate form.

Process for the preparation of alkylene glycols

The present invention relates to a catalytic process for the preparation of alkylene glycols from alkylene oxide and water. Further, the invention relates to a method of preservation of catalysts in alkylene oxide containing systems. More in particular, it has been found that polycarboxylic acids, preferably oxalic acid, have a positive effect on the lifetime of catalyst systems based on anion exchange resins, and particularly those in the bicarbonate and oxalate forms.

A method for operating an epoxide containing system which contains a catalyst is disclosed. The method comprises feeding carbon dioxide to the epoxide containing system at an amount of from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent; and maintaining the epoxide containing system at a temperature of from 100&deg; C. to 150&deg; C. The catalyst has a half life of at least 40 days at 120&deg; C. The present invention allows anion exchange resins in the bicarbonate form to be used for the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide at temperatures exceeding 100&deg; C. The rate of catalyst swelling is minimized and lifetime of the catalyst enhanced.

A method for making glycol in an adiabatic reactor system including feeding water and an epoxide into at least one adiabatic reactor under conditions such that epoxide and the water react to form a glycol product stream. The adiabatic reactor contains a catalyst bed which undergoes swelling during its useful lifetime, and the adiabatic reactor operates under conditions sufficient to reduce the rate of catalyst swelling relative to a non-adiabatic reactor system. Other aspects of the invention include the combination of splitting the feed between multiple adiabatic reactors in combination with the cross exchange of heat between feeds and products with heat exchangers, such that an energy efficient process that provides long catalyst stability and minimal catalyst swelling results.

Method for making glycol in an adiabatic reactor system

A process for preparing alkylene glycols including reacting an alkylene oxide with water in the presence of a combination of additives and an anion exchange resin, wherein the combination of additives comprises carbon dioxide and an organic or inorganic base provided in an amount sufficient to maintain a pH of the reaction mixture between about 5.0 and 9.0, with the proviso that, when the base is bicarbonate or carbonate, then the anion exchange resin is a trimethyl benzyl ammonium anion exchange resin. A particularly preferred method of this invention is to react ethylene oxide with water in the presence of a halogenate or bicarbonate-type anionic exchange resin (such as a DOWEX.TM. MSA-1 type resin), carbon dioxide, and sodium hydroxide. Some advantages of this invention are that it provides desirable catalyst lifetime and activity, minimizes resin swelling, and provides a desirable, sustained selectivity to alkylene glycol.

Process and equipment for the production of ethylene glycols

An economical astable multivibrator circuit provides a variable frequency, variable duty cycle digital signal for controlling a solid-state relay to provide power proportioning. An optical isolator receives analog input signals and converts those signals into a variable resistance signal for altering the RC time constant of the charge/discharge timing circuit. The controller is capable of driving several solid-state relays simultaneously and includes a powerstat adjustment for manually adjusting the range of power delivered to a load.

Power proportioning controller for solid state relays

A catalytic process for the disproportionation of alkenes in a distillation column reactor, whereby high conversion and selectivity are simultaneously achieved.

Disproportionation of alkenes

Prepare vinyl aromatic compounds in a fluidized bed by oxydehydrogenation in the presence of an alkaline earth metal-nickel phosphate catalyst.

Growing community of inventors

Midland, MI, United States of America

Gary R Strickler