SYNTHESIS OF LOWER ALKYLENE OXIDES AND LOWER ALKYLENE GLYCOLS FROM LOWER ALKANES AND/OR LOWER ALKENES

摘要

A method and apparatus for synthesizing at least one of alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols from lower alkanes and/or lower alkenes. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus included a lower alkane/alkene supply; an oxygen supply for providing a source of oxygen; and a metal oxide catalytic reactor. The metal oxide catalytic reactor included a reactor chamber; and a catalyst in the chamber for reacting the lower alkane/alkene supply with the source of oxygen to convert the lower alkane/alkene by selective partial oxidation to at least one of the alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a separator, downstream form the reactor, separated the alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols from the total product stream and the unconverted reactants.