Division BAT 63: In order to use ethylene oxide efficiently, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.
United Kingdom
| Technique | Description | Applicability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| a. | Use of excess ammonia | Maintaining a high level of ammonia in the reaction mixture is an effective way of ensuring that all the ethylene oxide is converted into products | Generally applicable |
| b. | Optimisation of the water content in the reaction | Water is used to accelerate the main reactions without changing the product distribution and without significant side reactions with ethylene oxide to glycols | Only applicable for the aqueous process |
| c. | Optimise the process operating conditions | Determine and maintain the optimum operating conditions (e.g. temperature, pressure, residence time) to maximise the conversion of ethylene oxide to the desired mix of mono-, di-, triethanolamines | Generally applicable |