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Application Note

Ethylene Oxide

A I T

Applied Instrument Technologies

Ethylene oxide (EO) is produced by direct oxidation of ethylene with air or oxygen over a silver-containing catalyst. For satisfactory catalyst operation the ethylene in the reactor feed must be maintained between 5% and 10%. The relevant chemical reactions are:
C2H4 + 0.5O2 C2H4O + 2.5 O2 C2H4 + 3O2 C2H4O 2CO2 + 2H2O 2CO2 + 2H2O (1) (2) (3)

MGA Process Mass Spectrometer

Output from the reactor is the desired ethylene oxide, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water along with the ethylene that was not oxidized. The operating conditions determine the proportion of ethylene oxide that is produced. For example, CO2 production should be minimized to maximize selectivity for ethylene oxide. The MGA can be used to monitor the ethylene input to ensure efficient catalyst operation by helping regulate the ethylene/air or ethylene/oxygen ratio. On the output of the reactor, an MGA can be used for real-time monitoring of ethylene oxide, carbon dioxide, ethylene and other gases. The operating conditions of the reactor can be optimized based on the ratios of these three components. This can lead to savings based on utilities costs, such as steam. The simplified schematic below shows potential monitoring points.
Ethylene Oxide Process Schematic

One MGA can be used to monitor multiple sample points in the Ethylene Oxide process stream

The ethylene purity can be measured at point 1. At point 2 the amount of oxygen (0-25%) can be measured, while at points 3 and 6 the stream composition entering the reactor can be determined. Some of the gases that can be monitored, and example concentrations at these points,

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Application Note

Ethylene Oxide

A I T

Applied Instrument Technologies

are shown below. Methane is used as a diluent, though its input is not shown in the schematic. In other cases, as mentioned previously, the ethylene target concentration is between 5% and 10% due to the nature of the catalyst used. EO Reactor Input Ethylene (C2H4) Oxygen (O2) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Argon (Ar) Methane (CH4) Nitrogen (N2) EO Reactor Output = 26% = 8% = 7% = 6% = 50% = 3% Ethylene (C2H4) Oxygen (O2) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) = 0% to 40% = 0% to 10% = 0% to 20%

MGA Process Mass Spectrometer

Ethylene Oxide (C2H4O) = 0% to 5%

The output of each reactor, points 4 and 7 in the schematic above, can also be monitored. Operating conditions can be adjusted to improve ethylene oxide production by favoring reaction (1). Typical concentrations monitored in the output streams are shown above. Other compounds, including water, can also be monitored at these points. The amount of ethylene oxide produced by ethylene oxide absorbers can also be monitored (points 5 and 8). The composition of the gas being fed back to the compressor at the beginning of the process (point 9) is often monitored. This information is used to control the amount of ethylene and air (or oxygen) added to the feed stream. The final monitoring point shown on the schematic, point 10, measures the purity of the ethylene oxide produced.
Ethylene Oxide Mass Spectrum Spectrum for Ethylene Mass

Relative Intensity

Molecular Weight - AMU

AIT Applied Instrument Technologies 2771 N. Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91767 tel: 909-593-3581 fax: 909-392-3207 e-mail: AIT@hs.utc.com www.hs-ait.com

2002 Hamilton Sundstrand AIT

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