Monoethylene Glycol

Monoethylene Glycol/ Ethylene Glycol (C2H6O2) is a clear, colourless, odourless, slightly viscous liquid. It is miscible with water, alcohol, and many organic compounds, and has the formula C2H6O2. It is the most important of the commercially available ethylene glycols as it has many industrial applications. Monoethylene Glycol is produced by the oxidation of ethylene at a high temperature in the presence of a silver oxide catalyst. The ethylene oxide is then hydrated to yield mono ethylene glycol with di and tri ethylene glycols as co-products.

Monoethylene Glycol is a vital ingredient in the production of polyester fibres, films, and resins, one of which is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is used for making of plastic bottles. Ethylene Glycol has renowned antifreeze applications, being a major component in the manufacture of antifreeze, coolants, and de-icing liquids. Humectant properties make it ideal for use in the fibre treatment of textiles, pulp and paper industry, in adhesives, inks, and cellophane. It is also a used as a dehydration agent in natural gas pipelines, inhibiting the formation of natural gas clathrates before being recovered from the gas and reused.