Describe the ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol production process.

Ethylene oxide (EO) production: direct oxidation of ethylene with oxygen over silver catalyst at 250-280C, 10-25 bar: C2H4 + 0.5O2 = EO. Selectivity ~80%; side reactions produce CO2 and water. EO is highly reactive intermediate. Ethylene glycol (EG) production: EO hydration with water at 150-200C, 15-20 bar: EO + H2O = MEG. Higher glycols (DEG, TEG) formed with excess EO. Water/EO ratio controls product distribution. Separation by vacuum distillation. Applications: MEG (~70% of EO) - polyester fiber and PET, automotive antifreeze. EO also used for: ethoxylates (surfactants), ethanolamines, glycol ethers. Large-scale plants produce 500,000-1,000,000 tons/year MEG equivalent.