Method for the production of acetaldehyde from ethylene and oxygen

1. A single-stage method for the oxidation of ethylene to acetaldehyde in the presence of an aqueous catalyst solution comprising oxiding ethylene in a solution of copper chloride and palladium chloride under maintenance of circulation of the aqueous catalyst solution in a recycle reactor composed of a reactor and a mist trap, wherein the entire recycle reactor includes an externally applied thermal insulation to form acetaldehyde.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the externally applied thermal insulation to the reactor has a thickness of up of 100 mm.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the externally applied thermal insulation is comprised of a material, which at the reaction temperature of the acetaldehyde formation, has adequate temperature stability.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the externally applied thermal insulation is mineral fibers or glass gall.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a pressure-bearing part of the recycle reactor is made of a material which is corrosion resistant against the aqueous catalyst solution.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the corrosion-resistant material is selected from the group consisting of titanium, tantalum and niobium-zirconium alloys.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pressure-bearing part of the recycle reactor is made of carbon steel or special steels and the inner reactor wall is coated with a corrosion-stable material which simultaneously has adequate temperature stability at the reaction temperature.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the corrosion-stable and simultaneously temperature-resistant coating is enamel or polyhalogenated hydrocarbons.