Technology Type

Type: Ethylene Oxide Hydrolysis into Ethylene Glycols
Process: Hydrolysis
Abbreviation
Description: Ethylene Oxide reacts with Water to produce Ethylene Glycol according to the Chemical Equation: C₂H₄O + H₂O ? HO-CH₂CH₂-OH This Reaction can be catalyzed by either Acids or Bases, or can occur at neutral pH under elevated Temperatures. The highest Yields of Ethylene Glycol occur at acidic or neutral pH with a large excess of Water. Under these conditions, Ethylene Glycol Yields of 90% can be achieved. The major Byproducts are the Oligomers Diethylene Glycol, Triethylene Glycol, and Tetraethylene Glycol. The separation of these Oligomers and Water is Energy-Intensive. A higher Selectivity is achieved by use of Shell's OMEGA Process. In the OMEGA Process, the Ethylene Oxide is first converted with Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) to Ethylene Carbonate. This Ring is then Hydrolyzed with a Base Catalyst in a Second Step to produce Mono-Ethylene Glycol in 98% Selectivity.
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol