Mono ethylene glycol (MEG), also known as MEG or ethylene glycol, might sound like something yummy, but don't be deceived! This popular industrial chemical is a colorless, odorless liquid with a large number of applications. The MEG is involved in many things in our everyday life like keeping your car from freezing in winter to the comfy fleece jackets you love. But is MEG safe? How is it made? And what precisely are all those various applications? In this blog post, we will explore the world of mono ethylene glycol, the fact from the fiction and the science behind this amazing chemical.

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Introduction

Mono ethylene glycol (MEG), also known by various names like EG, 1,2-ethanediol, or 1,2-Dihydroxyethane, is a clear, colorless liquid with a slightly syrupy texture. Despite its sweet taste, it has almost no smell. This versatile industrial workhorse is easily mixed with water, alcohols, and many other organic compounds. Its biggest jobs? Making polyester fibers for clothing and forming the base for antifreeze, coolants, and aircraft de-icing fluids.

Manufacturing Process

EO REACTION, EO AND CO SCRUBBING SECTION

Ethylene, oxygen, and methane/nitrogen ballast gas are introduced from the battery limits and blended with lean cycle gas before entering a preheating unit, known as the Gas-Gas Exchanger. From there, the gas mixture proceeds to the EO Reactor/Gas Coolers, where approximately 9.6% of the ethylene undergoes conversion per pass. At the start-of-run (SOR), the selectivity of ethylene to ethylene oxide stands at 83.4%. The reactors generate ethylene oxide, which is then extracted from the exit gas of the EO Reactor/Gas Coolers using lean cycle water, with the resulting rich cycle water directed to the EO Stripping Section. The scrubbed cycle gas is directed through the CO2 Contactor Section of the Wash Tower to eliminate carbon dioxide produced in the EO Reactor/Gas Coolers. The gas, now depleted of CO2, is recompressed and returned to the EO Reactor/Gas Coolers. Heat generated by the reaction is dissipated by boiling water on the shell side of the multi-tubular reactors, facilitated by thermo-syphon action driving water circulation through the reactors' shell side. The steam-water mixture from the reactors' shell side is directed to steam drums, where makeup boiler feed water is preheated and steam is separated from water, subsequently being routed to the steam header.

CO2 REMOVAL SYSTEM SECTION

The concentrated carbonate solution from the Carbonate Solution Exchanger, which is part of the EO and CO2 Scrubbing Section, undergoes regeneration at nearly atmospheric pressure through the use of stripping steam. Following regeneration, the revitalized lean carbonate solution is reintroduced into the CO2 Contactor Section of the Wash Tower within the EO and CO2 Scrubbing Section, where it resumes its role in absorbing CO2.

EO STRIPPING AND EO REABSORPTION SECTION

The concentrated solution of ethylene oxide in the rich cycle water undergoes preheating prior to its introduction into the Stripping Column, where the ethylene oxide is separated. Subsequently, the depleted or lean cycle water is pumped through a sequence of heat exchangers to cool it down before being returned to the Scrubber Section of the Wash Tower within the EO and CO2 Scrubbing Section. A portion of this water is diverted as a bleed stream and directed to the glycol unit to eliminate the glycol accumulated in the cycle water loop. The ethylene oxide present in the vapor overhead from the Stripping Column is reabsorbed through contact with chilled process water in the Reabsorber. The vapor recovered from the Reabsorber is compressed back into the cycle gas system by the Reclaim Compressor, while the remaining liquid is transferred to the Glycol Feed Stripper in the Glycol Reaction Section.

GLYCOL REACTION AND GLYCOL EVAPORATION SECTION

The ethylene oxide solution retrieved from the Re-absorber is directed to the Glycol Feed Stripper to eliminate CO2. The resulting CO2-free stream is then heated and introduced into the Glycol Reactor. The output from the reactor is channeled into the initial stage of a Seven Effect Evaporator System. The bleed from the cycle water and the MEG Column Condenser blow down are treated in a Cycle Water Treating Unit before being utilized in the evaporator system as reflux. The condensate produced by the evaporator reboilers is employed to heat the feed for the Glycol Reactor before being transferred to the Recycle Water Tank. The vapor discharged from the Fifth Effect Evaporator, known as extraction steam, is utilized in the Regenerator Extraction Re-boiler. The vapor from the Sixth Effect Evaporator serves as stripping steam for both the Stripping Column and Glycol Feed Stripper, also assisting in reboiling the Sixth Effect Evaporator bottoms and heating the feed for the Glycol Reactor. The vapor from the Vacuum Effect Evaporator is condensed, with a portion returning to the column as reflux, another portion serving as reflux for the Drying Column within the Glycol Drying Section, and the rest directed to the Recycle Water Tank. The concentrated glycol extracted from the Vacuum Effect Evaporator is pumped into the Drying Column for the removal of residual water.

GLYCOL DRYING AND GLYCOL PURIFICATION SECTION

• The raw moist glycol undergoes drying via vacuum distillation within the Drying Column. The residue from the Drying Column is directed to the MEG Column, where a high-quality fiber-grade mono-ethylene glycol product is extracted as a side stream near the upper part of the column. This product is then cooled and stored in the MEG Rundown Tanks before being subsequently transferred to storage. • The residual glycol from the MEG Column is routed to the MEG Splitter, where any remaining MEG is separated from the heavier glycols and returned to the Vacuum Effect Evaporator for recycling. The bottom output from the MEG Splitter is transferred to the DEG Column within the DEG and TEG Purification Section for the separation of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and triethylene glycol (TEG).

DEG AND TEG PURIFICATION SECTION

The heavier glycols present in the bottom stream of the MEG Splitter undergo distillation in the DEG Column, where the Diethylene Glycol (DEG) product is collected as the overhead stream. Following collection, the DEG product is cooled and stored in the DEG Rundown Tanks before being pumped to storage. The residue from the DEG Column is then directed to the TEG Column for further distillation, where the triethylene glycol (TEG) product is obtained as the overhead stream. Once collected, the TEG product is cooled and stored in the TEG Rundown Drums prior to pumping to storage. The bottom output from the TEG Column, which contains the poly-glycols, is stored in the PEG Drum

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Major Applications of Mono Ethylene Glycol

1. Chemical Intermediates

MEG, a crucial component for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) production, plays a vital role in manufacturing PET items like Polyester film and PET bottles, commonly utilized in food and beverage packaging. These PET products boast complete recyclability and are certified safe for food and beverage use. The purity of MEG directly impacts PET quality, and GC-produced MEG stands out with an impressive purity level of 99.9% by weight, ensuring the production of premium PET material.

2. Polyester Fibres

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is the essential building block for polyester fibers, commonly used in clothing and textiles. The purity of MEG significantly impacts the quality of the final polyester fiber. High-purity MEG, like that produced by GC Glycol (at 99.9% wt), is key to creating top-quality polyester fibers. These polyester fibers are known for their strength and comfortable wear. They are also easy to care for, wrinkle-resistant, and can be blended with other fibers to add specific properties as needed.

3. Coolants

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) plays a critical role in engine coolant formulations. By significantly elevating the boiling point of the water mixture, MEG enhances the cooling system's ability to regulate engine temperature. This dual functionality safeguards the engine from overheating in hot weather and freezing in cold climates, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

4. De-icing and Coolants

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) finds critical application within the industrial sector, particularly in antifreeze formulations. Its exceptional ability to depress the freezing point of water makes MEG a key component in coolants, aircraft anti-icers, and deicers. This ensures optimal performance and protection in environments susceptible to freezing temperatures.

Market Outlook

Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) market is driven by its remarkable versatility and high demand across various industries. Renowned for its durable, hydrophobic, and tenacious properties, MEG serves as a pivotal ingredient or feedstock in the production of Polyester Fibers, Polyester Films, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), antifreeze products, Coolants, solvents, and more. Its humectant nature also finds application in paper, printing inks, leather, fibers treatment, and cellophane industries. With a broad spectrum of end-use sectors including Textile, Packaging, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverage, Automobile, Chemicals, Adhesives Sealants, and others, MEG plays a vital role. Majority of the globally produced MEG contributes significantly to Polyester Fibers, closely followed by Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polyester films, cementing its status as a cornerstone of industrial chemistry, fostering innovation, and driving growth across diverse markets.

Mono Ethylene Glycol Major Global Players

Significant players in the Global Mono Ethylene Glycol market are Nan Ya Plastics, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Reliance Industries Limited, Eastern Petrochemical Company (SHARQ, Shell Chemicals, MEGlobal, Huntsman Corporation, Lianyungang Petrochemical, Hengli Petrochemicals Co.,Ltd, Jubail United Petrochemical company, INEOS and Others

Conclusion:

In conclusion the Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) market is likely to grow because of its versatility and numerous applications in different industries. MEG is a very important ingredient in the production of Polyester Fibres, Polyester Films, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), antifreeze products, Coolants, solvents, and more due to its properties such as durability, hydrophobicity, and tenacity. Its humectant property makes it even more useful in the industries like paper, printing inks, leather, fibres treatment, and cellophane manufacturing. As a key ingredient or feedstock, MEG has become an indispensable part of sectors such as Textile, Packaging, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverage, Automobile, Chemicals, Adhesives Sealants, and others. The large worldwide need for MEG proves its importance in the innovation and growth of these industries. The market structures are still changing, and MEG is still the main industry of industrial chemistry, which is ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the future markets.