Drivers for Performing Ethylene Oxide Formation

Heat management is of crucial importance for ethylene oxide synthesis (see original citahons in [4]). The reachon enthalpy of the total oxidation to carbon dioxide (AH = -1327 kj/mol) is more than 10 times larger than that of the partial oxidahon (AH = -105 kJ/mol), which induces locally very hot temperatures (hot spots) with corresponding negative consequences on the reaction course. 

Industrial reactors work below or above the explosion regime, hence operahon cannot be carried out at any ethylene-to-oxygen raho (see original citations in [43]). 

The best industrial processes are based on ethylene and oxygen contents of 20—40 and 8%, respechvely, using methane as inert gas. It is known that high oxygen contents improve selectivity. 

For pure silver catalysts, a selectivity of only 40% was reported (see original citations in [4]). 

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