PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ETHYLENE OXIDE FROM ETHANE BY OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION AND EPOXIDATION USING A RECYCLE REACTOR DESIGN

An ethylene oxide (EO) production process comprising (a) introducing a first reactant mixture (C2H6, C2H4, O2) to a first reactor system to produce a first effluent stream (C2H4, C2H6, O2), wherein the mole fraction of ethylene in first effluent stream is greater than in first reactant mixture; wherein the first reactor system is characterized by a first reactor system operating temperature of 270° C.-320° C.; wherein the first reactor system comprises oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) stage(s); (b) introducing the first effluent stream to a second reactor to produce a second effluent stream (EO, C2H4, C2H6, O2); (c) separating the second effluent stream into an EO product stream (EO) and recycle stream (C2H4, C2H6, O2); wherein ethylene is not separated from recycle stream and/or first effluent stream; (d) recycling at least a portion of recycle stream to the first reactor system, and a optionally portion of recycle stream to the second reactor.