Statistical and Technical Comparative Analysis of Coal-based Ethylene Glycol Projects

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Statistical Analysis and Technical Comparison of Coal-based Ethylene Glycol Projects Author/Source: (Huahua Net Coal Chemicals) Author: Wang Shoujian, Chief Engineer at China National Chemical Engineering Corporation Date: 2018-03-14 Clicks: 13 As of June 2017, there were 15 coal-based ethylene glycol projects in operation in China, with a total production capacity of 2.85 million tons per year. Among the coal-to-ethylene glycol projects that are already in operation, the one with the largest scale per unit is Ordos Xinhang Energy, with a production capacity of 300,000 tons per year. Most coal-to-ethylene glycol projects have a capacity of 200,000 t/a. The status of the coal-based ethylene glycol production project is shown in Table 1. http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/1540155641513.jpg http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/154042564422.jpg Looking at the existing coal-based ethylene glycol production projects, the performance of the catalysts used in the ethylene glycol production process continues to improve, as does the quality of the ethylene glycol produced. Initially, it could not meet the quality standards required for fiber-grade polyester, and was only suitable for use in bottle-grade polyester production; later on, it could be used in the production of fiber-grade polyester as well. Currently, the products from several coal-based ethylene glycol factories can be used exclusively for producing fiber-grade polyester, opening up broad market opportunities. Driven by technological upgrades, the need to meet product quality standards, and the significant gap still existing in the domestic market, the number of planned projects for coal-based ethylene glycol production in China is on the rise. According to incomplete statistics, as of June 2017, there were 12 coal-based ethylene glycol projects under construction in China, with a total production capacity of 3.05 million tons per year. Recently, several ethylene glycol projects have been put on the agenda, with each project having a capacity of 1–2 million tons per year. If these projects are all implemented as planned, China’s ethylene glycol production capacity will increase significantly over the next 3-5 years, leading to a major shift in the market supply and demand dynamics for ethylene glycol in the country. The status of the proposed projects for coal-based ethylene glycol is shown in Table 2. http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/1541395649981.jpg http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/15425565256.jpg Selection of key technologies for coal-based ethylene glycol production. The typical production process for coal-based ethylene glycol involves gasification of coal to produce syngas; the syngas is then separated into CO and H2. CO reacts with methyl nitrite through a carbonylation reaction to yield dimethyl oxalate, which is subsequently hydrogenated to produce ethylene glycol. This technical approach is commonly referred to as the dimethyl oxalate method for ethylene glycol synthesis; it is the technology for producing ethylene glycol from syngas that is currently in use on an industrial scale. The typical process flow for coal-based ethylene glycol is shown in Figure 1. http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/154345658494.jpg Since 2005, the technology for producing ethylene glycol from syngas has developed rapidly both domestically and internationally, and it has been put into industrial use. The technology developed by the Fujian Institute of Physical Chemistry was first applied to the 200,000 t/a coal-to-ethylene glycol project at Tongliao Jinmei, and subsequently five 200,000 t/a coal-to-ethylene glycol plants were built in Henan. The syngas-based ethylene glycol production technology from Ube, Japan, is being promoted in China in partnership with Donghua Technology, and the project for producing ethylene glycol from the off-gases of calcium carbide furnaces at Xinjiang Tianye has produced polymeric-grade ethylene glycol for the first time. Since then, Sinopec’s syngas-to-ethylene glycol technology, Shanghai Pujing’s syngas-to-ethylene glycol technology, and Shanghai Wuzheng’s syngas-to-ethylene glycol technology have all seen significant progress, with multiple production facilities being built and put into operation. The key technology options for the coal-based ethylene glycol project are shown in Table 3, while the comparison of various technical performance indicators is presented in Tables 4 to 6. http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/1543565663655.jpg http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/1544345667425.jpg http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/1545115671175.jpg http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/1547225684267.jpg http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/1547475686715.jpg The process consumption indicators for these typical technologies are shown in Table 6. http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/1548515693184.jpg http://img.yf116.cn/image/img/20180314/154922569622.jpg http://www.nmtech.com.cn/sys/sec_zxwz.jpg