Recovery of ethylene oxide from sterilization process

The invention relates to a process for the recovery and recycling of ethylene oxide (EO) after use in a sterilization process. The process involves the steps of introducing a mixed gas stream containing EO, nitrogen, oxygen, CO2, water, and a few other trace elements. The system includes integrated EO concentration sensors to determine the concentration of the EO in the gas stream. The system includes a series of compressors to pressurize the gas stream, and chillers or condensers to cool the gas stream to condense the EO out of the gas stream. The system includes temperature and pressure sensors to determine the conditions in the gas stream, and a control system that evaluates the temperature and pressure data and controls the compressors and chillers to achieve the properties to maximize the condensation of EO out of the gas stream.