N.T.

Linh, HUMG, Q1, 2019-2020 ADECH 04

Extra lecture- Chapter 2

Compare characteristics of ethylene oxide processes and interpret PFD

1. Ethylen Oxide production by Scientific Design Technology

1- Reactor
2, 3, 4- Scrubber
5- stripping
6- absorber
7, 8- Distillation column (purification)
More information:
Commercial plants: Nearly 50 purifi ed EO projects have been completed or are being designed.
This represents a total design capacity of about 4 million metric tons of purifi ed EO with the
largest plants exceeding 200,000 mtpy.
Licensor: Scientifi c Design Company, Inc
N.T.Linh, HUMG, Q1, 2019-2020 ADECH 04

2. Ethylen Oxide production by Shell Technology

1- Reactor
2- Absorber
3- Stripper
4- Stripper (to recovery small amounts of ethylene and methane)
5- Purification
6, 7- Absorber (using activated carbonate solution)
More information:
More than 60 Shell-designed plants have been commissioned or are under construction.
Approximately 40% of the global capacity of EO equivalents is produced in Shell-designed plants.
Licensor: Shell International Chemicals B.V.
N.T.Linh, HUMG, Q1, 2019-2020 ADECH 04

3. Ethylen Oxide production by Dow Meteor process

1- Reactor
2- Absorber
3- Stripper
4, 5- Absorption section
5- Purification
6, 7- Absorber (using activated carbonate solution)
More information:
Union Carbide was the first to commercialize the direct oxidation process for EO in the 1930s.
Since 1954, 18 Union Carbide designed plants have been started up or are under construction.
Three million tons of EO equivalents per year (approximately 20% of total world capacity) are
produced in Union Carbide-designed plants.
Licensor: Union Carbide Corp., a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Co.