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Ethylene Glycol (EG) CAS No: 107-21-1

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  Major use of MEG is in PET bottles (Source: Eastman)

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is the most important of the commercially available ethylene glycols, accounting for 90% of production.


Diethylene glycol (DEG) and triethylene glycol (TEG) are produced as by-products in the manufacture of MEG.

 

Around 82% of MEG consumed worldwide is used in the production of polyester fibres, resins and films. Strong growth in polyester demand has led to global growth rates of 5-6%/year for MEG. The second largest market for MEG is antifreeze formulations.

 

In the manufacture of ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide is first produced by the oxidation of ethylene in the presence of oxygen or air and a silver oxide catalyst. A crude ethylene glycol mixture is then produced by the hydrolysis of EO with water under pressure.

 

Ethylene glycol is a colourless, odourless, viscous, hygroscopic sweet-tasting liquid. It is classified as harmful by the EC Dangerous Substances Directive and all containers must be labelled accordingly. Ethylene glycol is combustible but not flammable.

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Ethylene Glycol, Mono Uses and Outlook

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is the most important of the commercially available ethylene glycols, accounting for about 90% of production. Diethylene glycol (DEG) and triethylene glycol (TEG) are produced as by-products in the manufacture of MEG.
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Ethylene Glycol, Mono Process Technologies

Ethylene glycol used to be manufactured by the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide which was produced via ethylene chlorohydrin but this method has been superseded by a direct oxidation route. The EO is first produced by the oxidation of ethylene in the presence of oxygen or air and a silver oxide catalyst. A crude ethylene glycol mixture is then produced by the hydrolysis of EO with water under pressure. Fractional distillation under vacuum is used to separate the monoethylene glycol from the higher glycols.
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Ethylene Glycol, Mono Synonyms & Abbreviations

  • 1,2-Dihydroxyethane
  • 1,2-Ethanediol
  • Ethylene alcohol
  • Ethylene dihydrate
  • Glycol
  • Glycol alcohol
  • Monoethylene glycol
  • EG
  • MEG

Ethylene Glycol, Mono Properties

Auto-ignition temperature oC
398
Boiling point oC
198
Explosive limits, vol% in air
3.2-15.3
Flash point oC c.c
111
Melting point oC
-13
Molecular weight
62.07
Relative density (water = 1)
1.1
Relative vapour density (air = 1)
2.1
Vapour pressure, Pa at 20oC
7

 
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