P.1 

OAR Box 1872 

Prepped by Keeia Richards 

Document Number: 

3) 11-1-52 

Docket Number: 

A-90-19 

Printed 11/26/2008 8:51:46 AM Sheet 3 of 204 
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-0^kai P%&chg& Mpzefim 

' - JANUARY 1989 

?**-*-* a^ - August 1983 TR iETHYLENE GLYCOL 

A-80-1 

Hfli 

FOCUS....Triethylene glycol (TEG) is one of the glycols made by hydrating ethylene oxide (EO). In producing monoethylene glycol (EG) by EO hydration, TEG end diethylene glycol (DEC) ere made as byproducts or 

coproducts. While the ratios of glycols produced, and recovered, at EG plants can vary, the hydration of 

EO generally yields about 90S mono EG by weight, with about 8-10S DEG and IS TEG. The ratios of glycols 

produced can be varied somewhat by changing the production rate end feeds. Whereas DEG byproduct supply 

generally exceeds demand (except in periods of overall glycol shortage - such as 1988), the byproduct 

supply of TEG is usually far less than required by end use markets. In recent years, the potential 

availability of byproduct TEG has been in the range of 50 million pounds with US EG output of about 5 billion pounds. Some DEG and TEG byproduct from Canadian EO/EG facilities is refined in the US. About 4 million pounds of TEG was subsequently exported to Canada in 1988. US estimated demand for TEG of 109 million 

pounds in 1988 was about double the amount theoretically available ee byproduct. To supply the quantity 

required, it has been necessary to intentionally produce TEG or "force" production by reacting DEG with 

additional EO. In times of normal glycol demand, making on-purpose TEG is attractive to a number of EG 

producers since it utilizes excess DEG and upgrades the profitability of the entire product line. 

Because of its hygroscopic properties, the major application for TEG is gas dehydration. TEG dehydrates natural gas, various hydrocarbon gases, compressed air, carbon dioxide, synthesis gases, flue gas, 

nitrogen, and cracked gases. Sour gases can be processed with appropriate anticorrosion measures. DEG, TEG 

and tetraethylene glycols are suitable absorbents with TEG preferred in many applications. High concentration glycol regeneration makes the process economically attractive. TEG reclaiming by carbon dioxide 

absorption is a simple and economical operation. Both TEG and a tri/tetra mix can b. reclaimed. Reduced 

demand for natural gas dehydration held beck the overall growth rate for TEG from earlier expectations. 

In 1987/1988, increased consumption of unsaturated polyester resins end polyurethanes by the automotive and housing construction industries led to increased demand for higher glycols, such as DEG and 

TEG. In addition to polyesters and polyurethanes, TEG is slso used in making vinyl plastici2er esters. Although a declining application, TEG continues to be used as a humectant. 

OUTLOOK....Growth for TEG during the 1950s and into the 1960s exceeded a 10* annual average. Growth was 

led by the use of TEG in natural gas dehydration. Humectant applications, particularly for tobacco products, also grew with triethylene glycol replacing glycerine because of economics. In addition, the use of 

TEG in unsaturated polyester resins and urethanes increased. During the ten year period preceding the 

recession of 1975, annual growth dropped to about 83. Gas production experienced slower growth and, in 

petroleum processing, aromatics extraction plants began to use other solvents. Production declined sharply 

in 1975. Demand for TEG then increased through th_ first half of the 1980's. However, TEG consumption in 

natural gas dehydration again decreased with the collapse of petroleum and gas prices in 1985. 

The use of TEG in natural gas and industrial gas dehydration will probably only have moderate future 

growth. In addition, there are no significant new end uses identified for TEG end it is possible that TEG 

will lose further position in some applications because of performance and/or price competition. Future US 

consumption will therefore probably be in the range of 100 million pounds per year into the early 1990's. 

PRICING....Commercially there are two grades of triethylene glycol, technical and high purity. TEC, from a 

pricing standpoint, is usually considered one of the better profit opportunities as far as ethylene derivatives, particularly commodity ethylene glycols, are concerned. Producers have better control over pricing 

and profitability. It has somewhat specialized markets compared to the lower glycols and, unlike diethylene glycol, is not a surplus byproduct. To satisfy market requirements, "on purpose" production of TEC is 

required. The relatively high percentage of product moved through domestic distributors and exporters 

tends to keep the overall average sales value considerably below the published list price. It is anticipated that list prices will decline and stabilize at about 45 cents par pound after 1989. 

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE - TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL - TECHNICAL GRADE 

Cents Per Pound ° Bulk = FOB Producing Point - Suyer Absorbs Freight 

1960 1965 

Trade List 18.5 15 3 

Avg. Sales 16 17 

SUPPLY AND 8EHAND....Millions of Pounds....Estimated....Domestic US 

1988 1989 

~F5~ IT 

60(E) 

Capacity 

Production 

Exports 

Demand 37 51 89 

1975 1980 

88 123 

10(E) 14 

78 109 

1985 

"T90 

150 

11 

139 

1986 

"150 

107 

7 

100 

1987 

190 

118 

16 

102 

1988 

193 

125(E) 

16 

109 100 

1989 1990 

100 

1992 

100 

Prior to 1978, exports of TEG were combined with DEG. Imports are not separately reported. 

AVAILABILITY....With projected long term overcapacity for mono EG and excess supply of byproduct DEG, TEG 

should be readily available as producers attempt to upgrade the product line and improve profitability. 

TEG is an important part of the supplier's product line, tied in with the production and marketing of 

polyethylene glycols. Producers thus.have the incentive to keep the market adequately supplied. 

As producers made increasing quantities of industrial and/or fiber grades of monoethylene glycol, 

somewhat more TEG became available. Both DEG and TEG ere stripped from tha product stream to make higher 

purity grades of mono EC. As an example, BASF came on stream with its byproduct glycol recovery unit in 

1987. Producers that make more on-purpose diethylene glycol have a higher output of triethylene glycol. 

Conuersely, when production of tetraethylene glycol is maximized, TEG yield is reduced. 

4/87 
P.3 
P.4 

rt-t i <Ll y i ltv£ - KHLi-HN LUKK. KIH J NL 

_ PRODUCERS AND CAPACITIES - TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL = MILLIONS CF POUNDS - 1988 

K . J 

PRODUCER 

.nited States: 

BASF 

Cain Chemical 

Don Chemical 

Hoechst Celane 

PD Glycol 

Canada: 

Dow 

Union Carbide 

se 

Canada 

LOCATION 

Geismar, LA 

Bayport, TX 

Plaquemine, LA 

Clear Lake, TX 

Beaumont, TX 

Fort Sask., Alta. 

Montreal, Que. 

CAPACITY 

8 

25 

30 

10 

7 

5 

2 

PRODUCER 

Shell 

Texaco 

Texas Eastman 

Union Carbide 

TOTAL UNITED STATES: 

Union Carbide 

TOTAL CANADA: 

LOCATION 

Geismar, LA 

Port Neches, TX 

Longview, TX 

Texas City, TX 

Prentiss, Alta. 

CAPACITY 

25 

15 

8 

65 

193 

5 

12 

Based on trade estimates. Capacities are flexible and include both byproduct and on purpose 

production made by the addition reaction of ethylene oxide on diethylene glycol. The byproduct 

capacity for TEG depends on operating rates. However, a nominal IS of total mono EG capacity is 

generally considered as TEG potential without resorting to on purpose production. In actual 

practice, based on EG operating rates in recent years, less than 1/2 of US actual TEG demand has 

been supplied as byproduct. The balance has been made up by on purpose output by several producers, 

including material obtained by non-glycol producing companies thst distill mixed glycols. 

At Texas City, TX, Union Carbide, with a nominal refining capacity of 65 million pounds, 

refines triethylene glycol (and tetraethylene glycol) from monoethylene glycol production units at 

Taft, LA, Seadrift, TX, and Prentiss, Alberta. Carbide forces production of TEG at Toft, LA. Olin 

has TEG capacity at Brandenburg, KY but, with only the ethylene oxide unit operating and monoethylene 

glycol not being produced, no TEG is available. 

Estimated TEG capacities for Canadian producers is for byproduct potential and does not 

include "forced" production or any refining capabilities. 

END USES....Triethylene glycol (TEG) also known a3 Glycol lis (hydroxy ethyl) Ether and Triglycol, is a 

member of the family of glycols and triols. It is a clear, practically colorless and odorless, hygroscopic 

liquid, similar in many properties to the lower ethylene glycols. It ie soluble in mater but insoluble in 

benzene, toluene and gasoline. TEG differs from EG and DEG in having a higher boiling point and lower 

volatility. However, diethylene glycol usually has a significant economic advantage so that TEG is only 

used where its specific performance is required. The major application for TEG is as a dehydrating agent 

for natural gas during both production and transmission. It is also used in processing ethylene, carbon 

dioxide, and air. Although consumption has declined because of changing end use patterns, TEG is used ss a 

humectent for tobacco products and cork compounds. It is also used in solvent extraction, snd in the production of unsaturated polyester resins and polyester polyols for urethanes. It also serves ao an intermediate for the manufacture of polyglycols. TEG also has use as a sterilizing agent in aerosol air fresheners for bacteria laden air, as an emulsifying agent, and as a solvent and lubricant in textile dyeing 

and printing, while it is used as a plasticizer humectant in its own right, it is also a raw material for 

esters for use as specialized plasticizers far vinyl end other resins. Plasticizer applications include 

the use of triethylene glycol diacetate as a plasticizer for cellulose acetate cigarette filter tow. 

TEG is used as a solvent for cleaning polyester fiber and polyester plastic producing plants. The 

cleanup of PET (polyethylene terephthalate; plants is probably the largest single solvent outlet. Printing 

ink manufacturers include TEG in formulations as a humectant and as a solvent for steam set printing inks. 

The use of TEG as a solvent for extracting aromatic hydrocarbons from mixed hydrocarbons is no longer a 

significant application. 

END USE PATTERN - 1988 ESTIMATE 

DERIVATIVE PERCENT 

Natural Gas Dehydration 53 

Polyester Polyols for Urethanes 15 

Plasticizer Raw Material 15 

DERIVATIVE 

.' Solvent 

Humectant 

Miscellaneous 

PERCENT 

~T3— 

5 

10 

MANUFACTURING....Ethylene glycol (EG) is produced by the hydration of ethylene oxide (EO) with diethylene 

glycol (DEG) made by the addition reaction of EO on EG. Triethylene glycol (TEG) results from the reaction 

ef EO on DEC. In the hydration ef EO to produce EG, DEG and TEG are concurrently produced by the presence 

of EO and EG. It is generally assumed in the trade that byproduct DEC capability is about 8=105! and TEG 15 

of total hydration capacity. However, the rates for DEG and TEG vary widely. Not all EG producers recover 

specification grades of higher glycols. Some DEG and TEG is not separated but is included in antifreeze or 

industrial blends. Some higher glycols are refined by independent processors. 

In the hydration of ethylene oxide to produce ethylene glycol, a nominal IS of total ethylene glycols 

output is potentially available for recovery as TEG. With US EG production in the range of 5 billion 

pounds annually, potential TEG byproduct is about 50 million pounds, insufficient to satisfy total US requirements (including exports) of about 120 million pounds per year. Sems producers of EG that recover and 

refine specification TEG only recover the quantity available as byproduct; i.e. ISS of EG output. Others 

produce "on purpose" material by reacting E0 and DEG. . Those producers that may make on purpose DEG or 

produce polyethylene glycols ean also be expected to have mope TEG available. 

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS Triethylene glyeol, like mono EG and DEG, is stable end generally non-corrosive. 

It hss a high flash point. TEG has a much lower order of toxicity than diethylene glycol. It has a very 

low acute and chronic toxicity by oral ingestion. However, contact with eyes, skin and mucous membranes 

should be avoided. Overexposure to vapor's is unlikely. Low vapor pressure minimizes exposure danger. No 

permissible exposure limits have been established for TEC. The ACGIH 1988-1989 published list of threshold 

limit values doe3 not include TEG. The recommended ACGIH threshold limit value for EG is 50 ppm (vapor). 

To the best of our knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate. However, we 

do not assume any liability whatsoever for the completeness or accuracy of this report.