| abstract |
A process for the vapor phase oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide, which process comprises reacting a reaction mixture comprising ethylene and oxygen in the presence of a supported highly selective silver-based catalyst by: operating at an initial operation phase wherein fresh catalyst is used, and operating at a further operation phase when a cumulative ethylene oxide production exceeds 0.01 kT ethylene oxide per m3 of catalyst, wherein in said further operation phase the concentration of ethylene in the reaction mixture is increased; and a method of using ethylene oxide for making 1,2-ethanediol or a corresponding 1,2-ethanediol ether comprising converting the ethylene oxide into the 1,2-ethanediol or the 1,2-ethanediol ether wherein the ethylene oxide has been obtained by the process for the production of ethylene oxide. |