[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, tripropylene glycol alias

Properties of diethylene glycol

Triethylene glycol (Triethylene Glycol, TEG) is a colorless, tasteless, odorless liquid compound. Its molecular formula is C6H14O4 and its molecular weight is 150.17g/mol. TEG has the characteristics of high boiling point (285°C), low volatility and high viscosity. Due to its high hydrophilicity, TEG dissolves well in water, and has a low vapor pressure and a high flash point (177°C), making it exhibit excellent thermal stability and safety in many applications. TEG has a specific gravity of 1.127-128(20°C) and a viscosity of 47.89 mPa · s(20°C). These properties make it excellent in a variety of industrial applications.

Triethylene glycol use

One of the main uses of TEG is as a dehydrating agent in the natural gas dehydration process. Due to its excellent hygroscopicity, TEG can effectively remove moisture from natural gas and prevent hydrate formation and pipeline corrosion. In addition, TEG is widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and plastics industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, TEG is used as a solvent and stabilizer; in cosmetics, TEG is used as an emollient and thickener; in the plastics industry, TEG is used to produce polyester resins and plasticizers. TEGs are also used in coolants, antifreeze, oilfield chemicals, and printing inks.

Upstream Feedstock Analysis

The production of TEG relies mainly on the oxidation of ethylene to produce ethylene glycol. Its upstream raw materials mainly include ethylene and ethylene glycol. Ethylene is first oxidized to produce ethylene oxide, which is further hydrolyzed to produce ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, and then further ethoxylated to produce TEG. As an important raw material for the petrochemical industry, the price and supply of ethylene directly affect the production cost of TEG. The production efficiency and conversion rate of ethylene glycol also determine the market supply of TEG to a large extent.

Downstream Product Analysis

As an important industrial raw material, TEG has a wide range of downstream products. The most important application is in the natural gas industry, where TEG is used as a natural gas dehydrator to improve the quality and transportation safety of natural gas. In the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, TEG is widely used as a solvent, humectant and stabilizer to ensure the quality and stability of drugs and cosmetics. In the plastics industry, TEG is used to produce polyester resins, plasticizers and other polymer materials to improve the performance and service life of materials. With the continuous increase of industrial demand, the application field and demand of TEG in downstream products are also expanding.

production process and technology

The production of TEG mainly uses the ethoxylation reaction process. At the heart of the process is the reaction of ethylene oxide with water or ethylene glycol to produce ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and TEG. In order to improve the yield and purity of TEG, the selection of reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure and catalyst is critical. In general, the reaction is carried out at high temperature and pressure to increase the reaction rate and conversion. The use of efficient separation and purification techniques, such as distillation and crystallization, can further improve the purity and yield of TEG. With the advancement of technology, the application of green and environmentally friendly production processes and catalysts is gradually being promoted, reducing the impact on the environment during the production process.

The storage method of diethylene glycol

Due to the high chemical stability of TEG, it is still necessary to pay attention to the storage conditions to maintain its quality and performance. TEG should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, away from direct sunlight and high temperature environment. The storage container should be a closed steel or aluminum container to prevent contact with moisture in the air, so as not to affect its quality. Fire prevention and explosion-proof measures shall be set in the storage area to avoid mixing with oxidants, acids and other chemical substances. Check the container and storage environment regularly to ensure the storage safety and stability of TEG.

Market Prospects and Challenges

The market demand for TEG is growing with the development of the natural gas industry. Due to the irreplaceability of TEG in natural gas dehydration, its market prospect is relatively optimistic. The TEG market also faces some challenges. On the one hand, the fluctuation of raw material prices and the stability of the supply chain have a great impact on the production cost and market supply of TEG; on the other hand, with the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the environmental protection problems in the production process of TEG need to be solved urgently. Therefore, the future development of the TEG market needs to find a balance between improving production efficiency, reducing costs and meeting environmental protection requirements.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

The production and use of TEG need to pay attention to environmental protection and safety issues. Although TEG itself is less harmful to the environment, it may produce harmful by-products in its production process, and its emissions need to be strictly controlled. In the process of use, it is necessary to pay attention to the impact of TEG toxicity and volatility on human health, and take necessary protective measures, such as wearing protective gloves and glasses, to ensure the safety of operators. By optimizing the production process, improving equipment and strengthening management, the environmental risks and safety hazards in the production and use of TEG can be reduced.

Conclusion

As an important chemical raw material, triethylene glycol has broad application prospects and market demand. Its excellent physical and chemical properties make it play an important role in natural gas dehydration, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and plastics industries. Facing the challenges of the market and environmental protection, TEG manufacturers need to constantly innovate, improve their technical level, reduce production costs, and meet increasingly stringent environmental protection requirements. Through continuous improvement and optimization, TEG industry will usher in a broader space for development.