A process for making propylene oxide from propylene is disclosed. The
process comprises reacting propylene, oxygen, and hydrogen in the
presence of a catalyst and a solvent to produce a reaction mixture
comprising propylene oxide. Separation of propylene, oxygen, hydrogen,
and propylene oxide from the reaction mixture results in a residual
mixture comprising methanol. A portion of the residual mixture is
recycled to the reaction. A portion of the residual mixture is distilled
to generate a distilled methanol stream, which is recycled to the
reaction.