Ethylene glycol is a colorless organic chemical, generally odorless, with low volatility, very toxic, low viscosity and adsorbent in the molecular lattice. This substance has alcohol groups on two adjacent sides. The hydroxyl groups in this compound make ethylene glycol have the chemical properties of alcohols. In fact, ethylene glycol is the simplest member of alcohols. This substance has been identified in various biofluids, including saliva and urine. In cells, ethylene glycol is also present in the cytoplasm and adiposome. It is also found in all eukaryotes, from yeast to humans.
Chemical formula
The chemical formula of ethylene glycol (CH2OH)2
More to know
It is also known as 1 and 2 ethane diol, ethylene glycol, ethylene alcohol, 1 and 2 dihydroxyethane and ethylene dihydrate. This material, which is produced during private processes, has many applications in various fields, which we will discuss in the following.
Ethylene glycol production process
Ethylene glycol is obtained from the reaction of ethylene or ethene in which ethylene acid acts as an intermediate in this process. The reaction to this process is as follows:
C2H4O+H2O→HO−CH2CH2−OH
This reaction will be catalyzed by acids and bases and can also be done at neutral pH and at high temperatures. In this reaction, by-products are produced that must be separated by high energy consumption.
Another method of producing ethylene glycol, known as the omega shell method, is that ethylene oxide is first converted to ethylene carbonate in a reaction with carbon dioxide. This ring is then hydrolyzed with base catalysts and prepared to produce monoethylene glycol with 99% efficiency.
The omega shell process for the production of monoethylene glycol from EO operators was able to achieve an efficiency of more than 99%, which was significant compared to the 90% efficiency of the conventional ethylene glycol production process. In this process, operators prevent the production of triethylene glycol and diethylene glycol and there is no need to separate and maintain these materials.
Mono ethylene glycol
Monoethylene glycol is one of the important elements in the production of polyester fibers, polyethylene terephthalate resins and engine coolers. This substance is produced as a colorless and transparent liquid which has a similar appearance to the consistency of syrup due to having a certain viscosity. Due to the fact that ethylene glycol is soluble in water, alcohol and many organic compounds, it has various applications in industry. Monoethylene glycol is one of the important compounds derived from ethylene. It is worth mentioning that in order to produce ethylene glycols, it is necessary to convert ethylene to ethylene oxide. In addition to ethylene glycols, ethylene is one of the most important raw materials used to produce many organic compounds used in industry. Mono ethylene glycol is produced by the oxidation reaction of ethylene at high temperatures in the presence of a silver oxide catalyst. The resulting ethylene oxide is converted to monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol by hydration in water. This reaction can take place in an acidic, alkaline or even neutral environment. However, in a neutral and acidic environment, in the presence of a large amount of water, most monoethylene glycol can be produced.
Application
Due to its features, this combination includes a wide range of applications, the most important uses of which in the industry are as follows: Considering that monoethylene glycol is used in the production of polyester fibers, resins as well as polyethylene terephthalate, which is used for the production of plastic bottles; There is a high demand for its production and consumption worldwide. The second most important application in high demand for monoethylene glycol is antifreeze and coolant. This compound has a low freezing point and this feature makes it suitable for use as antifreeze in cars. Mono ethylene glycol, which is used as an antifreeze in engines, in addition to protecting liquids from freezing, also protects the engine from corrosion and balances the engine heat. Antifreeze additives are added to engines to prevent clogging of the fuel transfer path and freezing of fuel tanks in cars and aircraft. To clarify the issue, we will explain with an example. When the aircraft is placed at high altitudes, as the temperature decreases, a significant amount of water dissolved in the fuel separates and turns into ice or cold water.
This very cold water freezes due to contact with pipes or filters and causes clogging of the paths. Fuel additives dissolve in small amounts in fuel but have high solubility in water. For this reason, when water separates from the fuel, these additives dissolve quickly in the water and reduce the freezing point of the water, thus eliminating the possibility of water freezing and clogging the pipes. One of the properties defined for this compound is moisture absorption. The presence of this feature has made monoethylene glycol a suitable material in the refining of textile fibers, paper industry, adhesives and inks. The exchange of heat energy between two or more bodies is called heat transfer and water is known as the most efficient fluid for heat transfer.
For this reason, if not frozen, water is an ideal heat transfer for cooling applications. When there are freezing conditions for water, by adding antifreeze such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, water can be prevented from freezing and freezing, and its properties as a heat transfer fluid can be maintained. Heat transfer fluids have a wide range of applications in the industrial, commercial and even domestic fields. When using heat transfer fluids, tips should be considered for better performance. For example, in the use of water-based heat transfer fluids, the problem of corrosion should also be considered, or the high viscosity of these fluids causes problems in the circulation of these liquids. Such fluids must also be efficient for a wide range of temperatures. Due to these conditions, ethylene glycol is a suitable compound for heat transfer fluids. Of course, it should be noted that because this compound is toxic and is not environmentally friendly, in cases where the toxicity of the compounds is important, propylene glycol is often used. Other uses for monoethylene glycol include its use in the manufacture of paper, leather, and other textile fibers.