EG market and application
EG is one important petrochemical based organic chemical feed stock, mainly used in production of polyester fiber, anti-freezing agent, unsaturated polyesters resin, lubricant, plasticizer, non-ionic surface active agent, explosive material, etc. Besides, it can also be used for painting, developing solution, brake fluids and printing ink, etc.
In recent years, along with rapid rise in consumption of polyester products, world production capacity of EG has also been increased very fast. In 2010, world EG production capacity was about 25,650kt/a, and world consumption was about 19,500kt, with year-on-year growth of 12.1%. Of which, about 85.2% of total amount was used for production of polyester. In the future, world EG consumption is still focusing on polyester production.
In 2012, polyester output was 30,050kt and polyester grade EG demand was 9,650kt. It is anticipated that polyester output in 2015 will reach 40,000kt, and the corresponding EG demand will be 14,000kt.
Up 2012, there were about 16 EG manufacturers in China, overall capacity reached 3,648 kt. Of which, 9 companies were under SINOPEC (including joint venture Nanjing Yangzi -BASF), total output was 2459 kt/a, accounting for 67.41% of total EG output in China. 4 companies were under PetroChina, total output was 469kt/a, accounting for 12.86% of total output in China. 1 company was under CNOOC, and capacity was 320kt/a, accounting for 8.77% of total output in China. There were 2 local companies, capacity was 400kt, accounting for 10.9% of total output.
At present, EG in China is mainly used for polyester production, which accounts for about 94% of total consumption. Polyester consumers are mainly concentrated in southeast coast area, especially Jiangsu and Zhejiang area. Anti-freezing fluid production from EG accounts for about 2.5% of total consumption. EG consumption for production of surfactant, lubricant, polyurethane, plasticizer, EG polymer and medical accounts for about 3.3% of total consumption.
Structure for EG consumption in China
Due to EG market shortage in China, it mainly relies on import. It is mainly imported from Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada, Korea and Iran. In 2010, 5959 kt EG was imported from these 6 countries and regions, which occupied 89.69% of total import. EG supply and demand in China from 2000 to 2012 (Unit: 10,000t)
Domestic market demand and supply for EG in China and prediction
It is anticipated that total demand of EG in China in 2015 will reach 14,000kt. However, actual output will be less than 6,000kt, so large amount of EG shall be imported.
History for development of coal to EG
Japan Ube Industries, Ltd. is the fifth biggest chemical enterprise groups in Japan. It covers coal mine, machinery, chemical, etc. and it is the first enterprise in Japan to enter coal mining and coal chemical.
In 1970's, UBE INDUSTRIES LTD. started development of SNG to EG technology. For the first time, methyl nitrite was introduced in EG synthesis. Two step approach is used for EG production, and corresponding test and commercial plant has been established.
In 2009, Japan HighChem Co., Ltd. was authorized by UBE INDUSTRIES LTD. for SNG to EG technology. Together with ECEC, Zhejiang Liansheng Chemical Company, Japan HighChem Co., Ltd. jointly invested 1,500t/a oxalate hydrogenation pilot plant. The main feed stock for test was the DMO produced from SNG (CO) by UBE Industries, Ltd. High-class EG product (meeting national standard GB4649-2008) has been produced in the pilot plant. Besides, a series of tests has been completed for polyester production by the pilot product EG, which proves that coal to EG can fully substitute traditional petroleum method EG for polyester production.
Taking HighChem Co., Ltd. as the main party, Japan Ube Industries, Ltd., ECEC and Zhejiang Liansheng have established a consortium, for marketing coal to ethylene glycol technology (abbreviated as CTEG technology).
In December 2012, with the technology provided by HighChem Co., Ltd. consortium, 50kt/a SNG to EG plant (East China Engineering Science and Technology Co., Ltd. was responsible for engineering design and equipment supply) has been built. During Pilot Production in 2013, 44000t ethylene glycol was produced, of which about 95% was high-class product, fully meeting the design requirements. In 2014, the plant has created the achievement of 5200t product per month. The plant can operate continuously, safely and stably at 110% design capacity. The product has good application in the downstream market, and has obtained recognition of downstream users.
ECEC's achievement and position in EG technology
After establishment of consortium with Japan HighChem Co., Ltd. in 2009, ECEC has successively built 1500k/a pilot plant and 50000t/a commercial demonstration plant. The two plants has been commissioned successfully and reached the design targets. It has eliminated most domestic enterprises' doubt on SNG to EG technology since the EG plants using domestic technology cannot reach the design targets for long term. It greatly promote CTEG (Coal to EG) technology, making CTEG technology promoted by ECEC/HighChem Co., Ltd. receive profound recognition from the Customers at home and abroad.
Brief introduction to CTEG technology
Coal to EG, also called as SNG to EG, is the technology developed at end of 1970's by Japan Ube Industries, Ltd. By using methyl nitrite (MN), it can greatly reduce the reaction conditions, and making it possible for SNG synthesis to EG. The two-step EG synthesis technology developed by Japan Ube Industries, Ltd. is carried out in two steps: the first step is dimethyl oxalate synthesis. Firstly, methanol, oxygen and NO react and generate methyl nitrite. Then under the catalyst (Pd), methyl nitrite reacts with CO and create dimethyl oxalate. After rectification, high purity dimethyl oxalate can be obtained. The second step is EG synthesis. Namely, under the catalyst (Cu), dimethyl oxalate hydrogenation reaction occurs to generate EG. After rectification, high purity EG is obtained. The methanol obtained from rectification can be recycle to first step as synthesis feed stock of dimethyl oxalate.
The simplified process flow diagram is given below:
Dimethyl oxalate synthesis and rectification
Reaction pressure: 0.25-0.5Mpag
Reaction temperature: 100-140℃
Dimethyl oxalate selectivity: 98-99%
MN synthesis
2NO+2CH3OH+1/2O2→CH3ONO+H2O
DMO synthesis (catalyst Pd/Al2O3)
2CH3ONO + 2CO→（COOCH3）2+ 2NO
EG synthesis and rectification
Reaction pressure: 2.0-4.0 MPag
Reaction temperature: 180-250℃
EG selectivity: 97-99%
Catalysts: Cu/SiO2
Reaction equation: (COOCH3)2 + 4 H2 →(CH2OH)2+2 CH3OH
Composition of typical coal to EG plant is as follows:
Coal gasification unit (including coal storage and transport, coal pretreatment, coal gasification and sludge water treatment)
Gas purification unit (including shift, desulfurization and decarbonization, treatment of sulfur-bearing tail gas); syngas separation (including cryogenic cold box or PSA for CO making and PSA hydrogen making)
Dimethyl oxalate synthesis and rectification
EG synthesis and rectification intermediate tank farm and product tank farm
Source: China Huanqiu Contracting and Engineering Corporation
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