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