Commodity Production Costs Report
Ethylene Glycol from Ethylene (Carbonation without EO By-Product)
Ethylene Glycol Operating Costs & Plant Construction Costs
This study presents the economics of Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) production from ethylene in the United States. The process described is similar to Shell OMEGA. First, ethylene is oxidized with pure oxygen to produce ethylene oxide (EO). The EO is then carbonated to generate ethylene carbonate, which is finally hydrolyzed to MEG.
The report provides a comprehensive study of Ethylene Glycol production and related Ethylene Glycol production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the Ethylene Glycol production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related Ethylene Glycol plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective Ethylene Glycol plant operating costs (Opex).
The Ethylene Glycol production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The Ethylene Glycol plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The Ethylene Glycol plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.
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The process under analysis comprises four major sections: (1) ethylene oxide synthesis; (2) ethylene oxide recovery; (3) ethylene glycol synthesis; and (4) ethylene glycol purification.
* Ethylene oxide synthesis. Ethylene and oxygen are reacted forming ethylene oxide. This exothermic reaction is conducted in multi-tubular reactor in the gaseous phase with the use of a silver catalyst supported on alumina.
* Ethylene oxide recovery. The reactor product stream is fed to an absorber for lights removal. Part of this gaseous overhead stream is recycled to the reactor, while the other part is sent to a CO2 removal unit. In this unit, CO2 is separated to be used in ethylene carbonate production. A diluted ethylene oxide stream from the absorber is subjected to a concentration step, residual light gases are removed and recycled to the reactor. The crude ethylene oxide obtained is sent to the ethylene glycol synthesis section.
* Ethylene glycol synthesis. Ethylene oxide is reacted with CO2, forming ethylene carbonate, which is then hydrolyzed to form MEG and CO2. Both reactions are carried out in the liquid phase using homogeneous catalysts. CO2 streams from the reaction steps are recycled to the ethylene carbonate reactor.
* Ethylene glycol purification. MEG produced is purified in two distillation columns where water is removed, leading to the final MEG product. The homogeneous catalyst is separated and recycled to the ethylene carbonate reactors.
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Professional report based on Q3 2024 economic data, ensuring timely evaluations.
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Content Highlights
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Summary outlining the capital cost required for building the Ethylene Glycol production plant examined.
Plant Capital Cost Details
Detailing of fixed capital (ISBL, OSBL & Owner’s Cost), working capital and additional capital requirements.
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Breakdown of Ethylene Glycol process unit (ISBL) costs and infrastructure (OSBL) costs; plant cost breakdown per discipline.
Operating Costs Summary
Summary presenting the operating variable costs and the total operating cost of the Ethylene Glycol production plant studied.
Operating Cost Details
Detailing of utilities costs, operating fixed costs and depreciation.
Plant Capacity Assessment
Comparative analysis of capital investment and operating costs for different Ethylene Glycol plant capacities.
Production Process Information
Block Flow Diagram, descriptions of process unit (ISBL) and site infrastructure (OSBL).
Process Consumptions
Raw materials and utilities consumption figures, by-products credits, labor requirements
Process Diagrams
Process flow diagrams (PFD), equipment list and industrial site configuration
Other Ethylene Glycol Production Cost Reports

Ethylene Glycol Production from Carbon Dioxide
This study presents the economics of Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) production from carbon dioxide (CO2) in the United States using an electrochemical process similar to Liquid Light process. Initially, CO2 is electrochemically reduced and acidified into oxalic acid. Then, oxalic acid is esterified with methanol producing dimethyl oxalate, which is hydrogenated forming MEG.
Details: 150 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue C | From $799 USD

Ethylene Glycol Production from Syngas
This report presents the economics of Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) production from synthesis gas via dimethyl oxalate intermediate in the United States. In this process, methyl nitrite reacts with carbon monoxide forming dimethyl oxalate. The dimethyl oxalate is then hydrogenated to MEG.
Details: 450 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue D | From $799 USD

Ethylene Glycol Production from Ethylene Oxide (Direct Hydrolysis)
This assessment approaches the production of Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) from ethylene oxide in the United States. In the process under analysis, ethylene oxide is directly hydrolyzed to MEG. Diethylene glycol (DEG) and triethylene glycol (TEG) are also generated as by-products.
Details: 690 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue G | From $799 USD
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Other Related Production Cost Reports

Ethylene Production from Ethane
This report presents the economics of Polymer Grade (PG) Ethylene production from ethane in the United States. In the process under analysis, ethane is thermally cracked in pyrolysis furnaces through the use of steam, yielding Ethylene. A hydrogen-rich gas is generated as by-product.
Details: 1200 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue B | From $799 USD

Polyethylene Terephthalate from MEG and PTA (Polycondensation)
This report presents the economics of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) production from ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) in the United States, via a typical melt-phase process followed by a solid-state polymerization. Initially, oligomers are produced by the esterification of PTA with ethylene glycol. The oligomer then undergoes a melt-polymerization and a solid-state polymerization, yielding PET.
Details: 250 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue A | From $799 USD

Polyethylene Furanoate Production from FDCA
This report presents the economics of Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF) production from monoethylene glycol (MEG) and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). In the process under analysis, FDCA and MEG are polymerized to PEF in two polymerization steps: melt-phase polymerization and solid-state polymerization. The economic analysis provided assumes a plant located in the United States.
Details: 300 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue A | From $1,199 USD
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