abstract |
Herein disclosed is a system for hydrating an alkylene oxide that includes a high shear device configured to form a dispersion of an alkylene oxide and water, the high shear device comprising a rotor, a stator, and a catalytic surface, wherein the dispersion comprises gas bubbles with an average gas bubble diameter of less than about 5 μm; a pump configured for delivering a liquid stream to the high shear device; and a reactor coupled to the high shear device, and configured to receive the dispersion from the high shear device, wherein the alkylene oxide is hydrated in the reactor. |