Girish N Desai

US Patent:

8487123, Jul 16, 2013

Filed:

Dec 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/977549

Inventors:

Nabil Rizkalla - Rivervale NJ, US
Norma B. Castagnola - East Windsor NJ, US
Girish Desai - East Brunswick NJ, US

Assignee:

Scientific Design Company, Inc. - Little Ferry NJ

International Classification:

C07D 301/03

US Classification:

549536, 549537

Abstract:

A start-up process for epoxidation of ethylene is provided. The process includes initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst at a first temperature of about 180 C. to about 210 C. The first temperature is increased to a second temperature of about 230 C. to about 290 C. , over a time period of about 6 hours to about 50 hours, while simultaneously adding a sufficient concentration of moderator so that the amount of moderator adsorbed on the catalyst after achieving the second temperature is from about 10 to about 50 g/mof catalyst. The second temperature is maintained for about 50 hours to about 350 hours, while regulating the feed gas composition to contain about 0. 5% to about 25% CO. The second temperature is decreased to a third temperature, while simultaneously increasing moderator concentration to a level greater than the sufficient concentration.