Title: Process for the purification of ethylene oxide

Abstract: Crude ethylene oxide present in the dilute aqueous solution resulting from the extraction with an aqueous solvent of ethylene oxide from the gaseous stream obtained by catalytic oxidation of ethylene is purified by desorption, liquefaction, distillation in a fractionating column and final desorption treatment to remove absorbed non-condensable gases. The fractionating column is heated by condensation of the water vapor evolved during desorption and a liquid stream of ethylene oxide rich in acetaldehyde is discharged from the bottom, treated to convert a fraction of said acetaldehyde into high-boiling products, distilled to remove the latter as bottoms and returned to the fractionating column.

Do you think this is a good invention? Vote now:

Votes so far: For:(0) Against:(0)
Other info:

Inventors: Cocuzza, Gioacchino (Catania, IT)
Torreggiani, Gianni (Busto Arsizio (Varese), IT)
Sfregola, Michele (Bergamo, IT)

Application Number: 703342
Filing Date: 1976-07-08
Publication_date: 1977-07-05
Assignee: Societa' Italiana Resine S.I.R. S.p.A. (Milan, IT)
Primary Class(es): 203/27 62/630, 62/935, 95/179, 202/198, 203/29, 203/36, 203/38, 203/74, 203/75, 549/538
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3165539	Jan, 1965	Lutz	260/348.
3174262	Mar, 1965	Lutz	55/50.
3418338	Dec, 1968	Gilman et al.	260/348.
3745092	Jul, 1973	Van der Water	260/348.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Bascomb, Jr., Wilbur L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak