An updated design and economic study, superceding that in PEP Report 70A, is presented, on the basis of using Halcon catalysts. EG from Ethylene by Direct Oxidation . A process for oxidation of ethylene directly to EG is evaluated. This is SRI International's first evaluation of this process. The evaluation is based on the use of a Teijin catalyst.
Ethylene glycol is produced commercially almost exclusively by the hydration of ethylene oxide.
This process was discussed in Process Economics Program Report No. 70, issued in 1971. Since that time there has been patent activity on several new processes for ethylene glycol, particularly by Halcon Internation, Kuraray Company, and Union Carbide. None of these processes uses ethylene oxide. The available information on these processes as of mid-1975 is reviewed in this report. Process designs and economics are developed insofar as possible from the data published to date, and costs are compared with updated figures for the conventional ethylene oxide route.