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Recovery of Glycols from Aqueous Solutions

Detailed Technology Description

Introduction Glycols, in particular ethylene glycol, are used as antifreeze in automobiles, are a main constituent of plastics such asf poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET, polyesters, and polyurethanes.  The combined utility of glycols represents a multibillion dollar market.  These compounds are typically formed in multistep processes in dilute aqueous solutions, from which they must be separated and purified before being used or sold.  Typical distillation and separation techniques are costly, time intensive, and require high equipment cost.  Efficient and economic al production and purification methods are needed.   Description of Technology This technology is an economic process for the separation and purification of glycols from water.  The technology utilizes acetalization and reactive distillation.  The technology is a simple process that can be used to purify any glycol from water.  Key BenefitsHigh purity separation of glycolsSimple production processContinuous production  ApplicationsAntifreeze production PET plastics PolyurethaneUnsaturated polyester resins  Patent Status US patent 6,713,640 B2, 6,713,640, and Canada 2,451,763 Inventors Shubham Chopade, Atulkumar Dhale, Christopher Kiesling, Angela Clark, James Jackson, Dennis Miller Tech ID TEC2000-0014

*Abstract

None

*Principal Investigator

Name: Shubham Chopade, Visit Research Associate

Department: Chemical Engineering

Name: Atulkumar Dhale, Visiting Research Associate

Department: Chemical Engineering

Name: Christopher Kiesling

Department: Chemical Engineering

Name: Angela Clark

Department: Chemical Engineering

Name: James Jackson, Professor

Department: Chemistry

Name: Dennis Miller, Professor

Department: Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Country/Region

USA