Gas Phase Epoxidation of Propylene with TS-1 and in Situ H2O2 Produced by a H2/O2 Plasma

Gas phase epoxidation of propylene was performed by directly contacting propylene and gaseous H2O2 on the surface of TS-1 catalyst in an integrated reactor. The gaseous H2O2 was produced in situ by a H-2/O-2 plasma. The H2O2 formation rate can be enhanced by increasing the power density of the H-2/O-2 plasma reactor. The yield and selectivity for propylene oxide (PO) can be increased by optimizing the reaction conditions and using suitable TS-1 catalysts. With a power injection of 3.5 W, flow rates of H-2, O-2, and propylene of 170, 8, and 18 ml/min, respectively, catalyst loading of 0.8 g, and epoxidation temperature of 110 degrees C, the yield and selectivity for PO and the utilization rate of H2O2 were 246.9 g/(kg.h), 95.4%, and 36.1%, respectively. During the gas phase reaction, no decline of TS-1 activity was observed.