Comparison between the Processes

The processes of producing ethylene glycol consisting of ethylene carbonate processes

and hydrolysis of ethylene oxide (ring opening),are compared in order to select the best
process to produce Ethylene glycol. The Table below shows the comparison for each of
the process in manufacturing ethylene glycol.

Table 1 The Comparison of Processes Involved in Manufacturing Ethylene Glycol

Process/ Ethylene Carbonate Hydrolysis of
Criteria Processes Ethylene Oxide(ring opening)
Raw Materials  Refine ethylene oxide
 Pure water
Operating  180 ºC -200ºC  190 ºC- 200 ºC
Temperature
Operating  13 bar  14-30 bar(depending on the initial
pressure, concentration of ethylene glycol)
P(bar)
Catalyst  Alkali halide or  Non-catalytic
ammonium salt
Product and by  Mono ethylene glycol(90%)
product  Higher glycol
(10 %)
Cost  High cost  Moderate cost

Safety  Safety measures  Safety measure need to be done

and precautions strictly due to flammable material
need to be done and processes.
strictly due to  ethylene oxide itself is a very
flammable hazardous substance so need to
materials and handle with care and safety
process. measure need to be taken

Advantages  high yield and  High yield and selectivity.

selectivity  Permit use of low temperature
 utility saving and pressure.
Disadvantages  Extra purification  Use large excess water to
process increase the yield which leads to
high energy consumption.

Reference
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York Toronto; fourth Edition;1996;vol-12 (p-696 - 714).
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Edition;1969
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Engineering”, McGraw Hill International Editions, Chemical Engineering Series,
NewYork, 5th edition;1989
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McGraw- Hill International Editions, Chemical Engineering Series, New York, 7th
edition, p-2.347
5. T. Masuda, K.H. Asano, S. Naomi Ando, Method for preparing ethylene Glycol
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