THE SILVER CATALYZED OXIDATION OF ETHYLENE: I. SLOW PROCESSES ON THE CATALYST SURFACE

Abstract

In the silver catalyzed oxidation of ethylene or ethylene oxide (EtO), the silver catalyst activity measured under constant standard conditions in a flow system was found to be dependent on the conditions of previous catalyst treatment such as reaction temperature and reactant composition. The results are explained on the basis of slow establishment of equilibrium respecting fixation of stably sorbed oxygen atoms and surface products of oxidation. It is emphasized that in view of the slow processes observed, the kinetic measurements must be punctuated by frequent stabilizing check runs in order to maintain the catalyst in the same reference state.