摘要 |
The method of manufacturing an epoxide according to the present invention includes: a dehydrogenation step 1, in which a gas A containing an alkane is dehydrogenated, producing a gas B which contains an alkene and hydrogen; an epoxidation step 2, in which the gas B is epoxidized by use of a gas C containing oxygen in the presence of a catalyst containing gold, producing a gas D which contains an epoxide and unreacted hydrogen and oxygen; a separation step 3, in which the epoxide is separated from the gas D, leaving a gas E; and an oxygen elimination step 4, in which oxygen and hydrogen contained in the gas E are allowed to react, eliminating the oxygen and leaving a gas F. At least part of the gas F (gas F1) is recycled by returning it to the dehydrogenation step 1. Hydrogen produced in the dehydrogenation step 1 is consumed in the epoxidation step 2 and the oxygen elimination step 4, and thus does not build up in the system of reaction. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separate or eliminate the hydrogen from the system of reaction. In other words, a method can be provided which is industrially advantageous for continuously producing an epoxide from an alkane. |