Abstract:
The present disclosures and inventions relate to methods and apparatus for the conversion of ethylene and oxygen to ethylene oxide, conversion of the ethylene oxide to ethylene glycols, and improving the efficiency of such processes. In some aspects, the inventions relate to methods for the production of ethylene glycols, wherein the method comprises: providing a front end section and a back end section, wherein the front end section comprises the production of ethylene oxide and the back end section comprises the production of ethylene glycol; converting ethylene and oxygen to ethylene oxide, wherein the conversion uses a high selectivity catalyst in the front end section; converting ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol in the back end section; and transferring steam generated in the front end section to the back end section and using the steam to heat the back end section.