Commodity Production Costs Report
Ethylene Glycol Production from Syngas
Ethylene Glycol Operating Costs & Plant Construction Costs
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.
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 three major sections: (1) Carbonylation; (2) DMO Hydrogenation; and (3) Separation.
Carbonylation. The feed synthesis gas is separated into its major components, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The recovered CO is fed to the carbonylation reactors along with a recycled stream from the Separation section containing an intermediate, methyl nitrite, which reacts with CO to produce the intermediate dimethyl oxalate and nitric oxide (NO). The product from the carbonylation reactors is partially condensed generating one gaseous stream, rich in unconverted CO and NO that is directed to the Separation section, and a liquid stream rich in the dimethyl oxalate(DMO).
DMO Hydrogenation. The DMO rich stream is fed to the hydrogenation reactors along with hydrogen recovered from the syngas feed. DMO reacts with hydrogen producing ethylene glycol and methanol, and a few by-products. The product stream from the hydrogenation reactors is partially condensed and is directed to the separation section. The uncondensed vapor, mostly hydrogen, is compressed and recycled to the hydrogenation reactors.
Separation. The purification system consists of a series of distillation steps to separate fiber grade ethylene glycol from methanol and other by-products formed during DMO hydrogenation. Methanol is recovered from an intermediate distillation column and is recycled. The NO stream recovered from the carbonylation section is mixed with oxygen and contacted in a reactive absorber with the methanol recycle. These chemicals react producing methyl nitrite and water. The top product stream from the nitrite reactor is partially condensed to remove most of its water content and the resulting methyl nitrite rich stream is recycled to the carbonylation section.
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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 from Ethylene (Carbonation without EO By-Product)
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.
Details: 750 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue B | From $1,199 USD

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 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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