METHOD OF MAKING ALKYLENE GLYCOLS

摘要

Herein disclosed is a method of hydrating an alkylene oxide. In an embodiment, the method comprises (a) forming a first stream comprising an alkylene oxide and water; (b) flowing the first stream through a high shear device to produce a second stream; and (c) recovering an alkylene glycol from the second stream. In some embodiments, the method further comprises contacting the second stream with a catalyst in a reactor to hydrate the alkylene oxide and form the alkylene glycol. In some embodiments, alkylene oxide comprises ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, producing the second stream comprises an energy expenditure of at least about 1000 W/m3. In some embodiments, the catalyst comprises an amine, an acid catalyst, an organometallic compound, an alkali metal halide, a quaternary ammonium halide, a zeolite, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the alkylene glycol comprises ethylene glycol.