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Alternative Routes to
MEG
The Many “Colors” of Technology
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-2
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
NGLs Hemicellulosic
Ethylene Sugars Xylitol
(Ethane)
O2 H 2O DEG/TEG
Ethylene
Naphtha MEG
Oxide
Ethylene
CO2 Carbonate H 2O
Coal H2
Synthesis Diester
Gas Oxalate
Natural CO
Gas
O2 NO/ROH
Direct Oxidation to Ethylene Oxide
Ethylene Oxygen
O
Ag Catalyst
C C
C C 1/2 O O
5
Leading EO Technology Providers
6
Conventional Conversion of EO to EG is
Based on Simple Chemistry
Ethylene Oxide (EO) Mono Ethylene Glycol
(MEG)
O HO OH
H2O
C C C C
~ 90%
7
Selectivity to MEG has Driven Innovation
• Shell’s OMEGA
Process
(commercialized
in 2003) has: ~
• Significantly
lower capital
capital cost
Ethylene
• Good Oxide
MEG
environmental Ethylene
position Carbonate
CO2 H 2O
• 4 operating
plants globally
RO O RO OR Syngas HO OH
O
(H2)
C O N O C C O C C
COAL
Gasification
to syngas:
CO/H2
RECYCLE
9
“Black” MEG Make-up NO
Make-up ROH
O2
Regeneration
Reactor
NO ROH
CO
Purified Coupling
Gasification Reactor
Syngas
Oxalate
H2
Ester
Coal
Hydrogenation
Reactor MEG
Coal-to-Syngas-to-Oxalate Ester-to- MEG
?
“Green” MEG: Developing Routes
70%
AN INNOVATION PTA
13
Bio Ethanol and Bio Glycols Co-Production
• The literature (1) suggests selective hydrogenolysis of biomass-
derived xylitol to EG and PG on an oxide-promoted Ni/C catalysts in
the presence of solid bases, e.g. Ca(OH)2 and CeO2
• Xylitol conversions of 100% were reported; selectivities of ~ 70% to
EG/PG at 203OC and 40 bar
• Xylitol can be
produced from
hydrogenation of
xylose
14
The Newest “Green” MEG Process?
Cellulosic Bio-
Biomass
Sugars Ethanol