(21d) Innovative Design of Semi Batch Reactor Used for Catalytic Liquid Phase Epoxidation of Propylene to Propylene Oxide

Compare to conventional process, CO₂ free Propylene Oxide with high selectivity under mild reaction conditions was produced by liquid phase epoxidation of propylene using Au/TiO₂ catalysts where Peracetic acid (PAA) was used as oxidant. Au/TiO₂ catalyst (Au (1 wt.%) supported on TiO₂) was prepared by conventional deposition-precipitation method with NaOH (DP NaOH) followed by washing, drying and calcination in air. Thermal treatment of Au/TiO₂ was carried out at 450 ^oC under 0.05 mTorr. A small amount of Au/TiO₂ catalyst was taken from the untreated and thermally treated Au/TiO₂ and the both kinds of catalysts were treated with plasma sputtering at room temperature. The catalytic activity of all the samples were tested using an alternative liquid phase propylene epoxidation route to produce Propylene Oxide under mild operating conditions where CO₂ formation is completely suppressed. Since it is liquid phase epoxidation process therefore, it is a safe process as well. Therefore, by using an alternative route for the production of Propylene Oxide, three following main advantages are deliberated: first, zero CO₂ production as a byproduct, second, a safe process and third, an improved process efficiency (high selectivity). For the above said process, an innovative designed semi batch reactor shown in figure 1 was used successfully. The results showed >95% selectivity of the desired product.

Keywords:

Liquid phase epoxidation, propylene oxide, Au/TiO2 catalyst, thermal and plasma treatment, semi batch reactor