Silver-catalyzed oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide in a microreaction system

Ethylene oxide synthesis has been chosen as a benchmark case to evaluate the performance of a microreaction system in comparison to an existing industrial process. This reaction was selected because microreaction technology provides equipment with very good mass- and heat-transfer conditions, which avoids hot spots inside the reactor channels that are known problems for the partial oxidation of ethylene. Furthermore, because the microstructured reactors are inherently safe with respect to explosions, gas compositions within the explosion limits are attainable and can be handled safely. For example, 15% ethylene in pure oxygen, which is in the middle of the explosive regime and far away from typical compositions for industrial processes, could be used. Space time yields of 0.14-0.78 tons h(-1) m(-1) calculated on the basis of the channel volume, in comparison to the values of 0.13-0.26 tons h(-1) m(-3) for an industrial reactor calculated on the basis of the reactor volume, have been achieved by using the microreactor.