Recovery of Glycols from Aqueous Solutions
Case ID:
TEC2000-0014
Web Published:
11/5/2015

Introduction
Glycols, in particular ethylene glycol, are used as antifreeze in automobiles, are a main constituent of plastics such asf poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET, polyesters, and polyurethanes. The combined utility of glycols represents a multibillion dollar market. These compounds are typically formed in multistep processes in dilute aqueous solutions, from which they must be separated and purified before being used or sold. Typical distillation and separation techniques are costly, time intensive, and require high equipment cost. Efficient and economic al production and purification methods are needed.
Description of Technology
This technology is an economic process for the separation and purification of glycols from water. The technology utilizes acetalization and reactive distillation. The technology is a simple process that can be used to purify any glycol from water.
Key Benefits
- High purity separation of glycols
- Simple production process
- Continuous production
Applications
- Antifreeze production
- PET plastics
- Polyurethane
- Unsaturated polyester resins
Patent Status
US patent 6,713,640 B2, 6,713,640, and Canada 2,451,763
Inventors
Shubham Chopade, Atulkumar Dhale, Christopher Kiesling, Angela Clark, James Jackson, Dennis Miller
Tech ID
TEC2000-0014
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For Information, Contact:
Thomas Herlache
Assistant Director
Michigan State University
herlache@msu.edu