Process for production of ethylene oxide and reactor suitable therefor.

摘要

Improved performance is obtained in a multi-tube reactor for oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide by providing a distribution zone for the coolant located downstream of the catalyst and a contiguous cooling zone. The effluent gases from the oxidation are cooled in the cooling zone by a fluid, which has been only slightly preheated and distributed uniformly in the distribution zone by contact with tubes in which the effluent gases are in low-turbulence flow. Uniform distribution of the coolant provides substantially equal cooling of the effluent gases in each tube, thus minimizing the variation in effluent gas temperature among the tubes. Preferably, the tubes in the cooling section are packed with inert particles to facilitate heat transfer, while the tubes are empty in the distribution section to reduce heat transfer.