Ethylene oxide (EO) is a versatile intermediate used in the production of ethylene glycol and other oxide derivatives such as glycol ethers, polyethylene glycol, polyether polyols, diethylene and triethylene glycols and ethanolamines.
EO is employed in the production of solvents, antifreeze, textiles, detergents, adhesives, polyurethane foam, and pharmaceuticals. Smaller amounts are used in fumigants, sterilants for spices and cosmetics, as well as during hospital sterilisation of surgical equipment.
Industrial production
Almost all of the world’s EO is produced by direct oxidation method – oxygen is generally preferred over the air in larger plants, owing to higher yields and less downtime.
Ethylene, compressed oxygen and recycle gases are mixed and fed into a catalytic reactor. This mixture is passed over a silver oxide catalyst held on a porous carrier at more than 200°C.
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