Question

In ethylene oxide (EO) production, what subsequent process converts EO to ethylene glycol (EG)?

Accepted Answer

In ethylene oxide (EO) production, the subsequent process that converts EO to ethylene glycol (EG) is hydration. Hydration is a chemical reaction where water (H2O) is added to a molecule. In this specific case, ethylene oxide (C2H4O), a cyclic ether, reacts with water to form ethylene glycol (C2H6O2), a diol (a compound with two hydroxyl groups). The reaction is typically carried out in the liquid phase using a catalyst, which can be either an acid catalyst (like sulfuric acid) or a base catalyst (like sodium hydroxide). The reaction proceeds by the nucleophilic attack of water on the electrophilic carbon atoms in the ethylene oxide ring, causing the ring to open and form ethylene glycol. The reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat. The process conditions, such as temperature and pressure, are carefully controlled to maximize the yield of ethylene glycol and minimize the formation of byproducts like diethylene glycol (DEG) and triethylene glycol (TEG), which are formed by the further reaction of ethylene glycol with ethylene oxide. The resulting ethylene glycol is then purified by distillation to remove water and other impurities.

Home → All Courses → Engineering and Technology Courses → Petrochemical Plant Operations and Lifecycle Management → Flashcard

In ethylene oxide (EO) production, what subsequent process converts EO to ethylene glycol (EG)?