Ethylene Glycol is produced industrially by the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide.

 

Although the process is typically run without catalyst, the hydrolysis is done with a considerable molar excess of water which therefore needs to be separated from the monoethylene glycol (MEG) product, usually by multiple-effect evaporators, and recycled. In some process designs, the quality of the water used for hydrolysis is of critical importance and these processes therefore incorporate ion exchange systems to remove impurities that would otherwise recycle with the process water.

As the concentrations of these impurities in the water increase, the quality of the MEG product deteriorates. Because these impurities are primarily weak acids such as formic or acetic acids, they can be removed by either weak base anion exchange resins alone, or a combination of weak and strong base anion exchange resins. In some cases, a cation exchange resin bed may also be used to remove cationic impurities and to limit fouling of the anion exchange resin(s).

 

Process Conditions

 

Please contact us for more information about resin recommendations and process conditions.