Ethylene Glycol

Summary:
Ethylene glycol is an organic compound used in a number of industrial and commercial application
mainly in anti-freezing and polyester fibre manufacturing. During last decade, the polyester fibre
industry grew in response to ever increasing demand for artificial fibre for the production of fabric
and allied products. Being the main source of polyester fibre; production of nonethylene glycol also
increased massively. Annual import of MEG in Pakistan is around 120,000 metric tons with a growth
rate of 10% per year. It is justifiable to set up a plant for the production of MEG to meet its demand.
The purpose of this design report is to discuss the ‘Production of Mono Ethylene Glycol from
Ethylene Oxide’. A detailed introduction of ethylene glycol was given and different possible
methods for its production were discussed. The most suitable process was selected and mass &
energy balances were applied.
Finally, different equipment was designed and cost evaluation was performed. To insure the safety
of the designed plant; control loops were also added. A detailed Process Flow Diagram is also
included for the proposed design.
Project Background:
Ethylene glycol is a dihydroxy alcohol derivative of ethane. It is a clear, sweet and slightly viscous
liquid with a boiling temperature of 198 °C. It was originally prepared and used as a coolant and
component of explosives in the First World War in 1859. Due to cheaper production methods its
production increased in 1930’s. As a result, an increase in usage of ethylene glycol as engine coolant
was observed because EG is a more effective coolant than cooling water.
Ethylene glycol is an important chemical mainly used in a number of commercial and industrial
applications such as antifreeze and coolant. Ethylene glycol prevents the engines of motor vehicles
from freezing in the winter and performs the action of a coolant in the summer. Ethylene glycol also
acts as heat transfer fluid used as industrial coolants for gas compressors, heating, ventilating, and
air-conditioning systems. It is widely used in the manufacture of polyester fibers for clothing,
upholstery, carpets and pillows, as well as a mixture of antifreeze and coolant for automotive
engines. Ethylene glycol is also used for manufacturing fiberglass for products such as motor boats
and bathtubs. The prime use is to produce polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, which is a
recyclable plastic used in soda water and water bottles.
Process Description:
The method involves the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is then
separated from excess water and is then purified. The raw materials for an ethylene glycol plant are
refined ethylene oxide and purified water. These are fed to a mixer where recycled water is mixed
with them. The molar ratio of ethylene oxide to water is an important variable. This ratio decides
the percentage production of higher glycols. Although excess water usage can reduce the
production of diethylene and triethylene glycols but the cost of removing excess water from the
product also increases. Therefore, and optimum ratio is used. The feed is then pre-heated in a heat
exchanger and is fed to the reactor. The preheated feed is fed to a CSTR. A sufficient residence time
is provided in the reactor to react all the ethylene oxide with water. This reaction is non-catalytic.
The pressure applied in the reactor is controlled so that the aqueous solution of the ethylene oxide
does not get vaporized. From the literature it is found that commercial reactors work at 190-200°C
and at a pressure of 14- 22 atm.
The mixture of glycol and water from the reactor are fed to evaporator system to remove the
excess water. In the first stage of multiple stage evaporators high pressure steam is used for
evaporation of water. The next evaporator operates at a lower pressure and the last stage usually
works under the vacuum. The evaporated water from the evaporators is condensed and is recycled
to feed tank to mix with the ethylene oxide and water feed. Higher glycols (diethylene and
triethylene glycol) are also produced in the process. The crude glycols from the evaporator system
are sent to MEG purification unit (distillation columns).
The product (monoethylene glycol) is refined in the distillation columns which separate the
monoethylene glycol from higher glycol.
Process Flow Diagram:
Project Scope:
The motivation to do this project is the wide range of applications like Ethylene glycols are employed
as reactants in the production of polyester resins. Ethylene glycols are used for producing polyester
films, fibers and for the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, and the alkyd resins
which are used in paints. Normal dynamite freezes at low temperatures and hence cannot explode.
Ethylene glycol dinitrate, which is also an explosive, is mixed with dynamite to reduce the freezing
point make it less dangerous to face the cold.
Ethylene glycol is widely used as antifreeze agent for internal combustion engines. Mixtures
containing ethylene glycol have outstanding heat transfer properties and higher boiling points than
water. As a result, glycol solutions are considered as a year-round coolant. Ethylene glycol solutions
also find their use in industries as heat transfer agents. Ethylene glycols including monoethylene
glycol (MEG), diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG) and tetraethylene glycol (TETRA EG)
are used as heat transfer fluids due to their low freezing point, freezing point depressant and high
boiling point. Water dispersions of urea-formaldehyde and melamine formaldehyde from gel
formation and viscosity changes are stabilized using ethylene glycol. To make the textile products,
leather and paper softer, more pliable and durable; ethylene glycol is added as a humectant (a
moisture retaining agent).

Ethylene Glycol

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