Glycols
IndianOil Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) plant was commissioned at Panipat Naphtha Cracker Complex, Panipat, Haryana in April 2010, as a response to expansion in the downstream polyester sector and also in the light of liquid fuel (Naphtha) Surpluses in the Northern Sector. The fully integrated plant uses Ethylene produced by Naphtha Cracker as the main feed Stock for manufacture of MEG.
The MEG plant is based on the proven technology of Scientific Design Co. USA. Ethylene Glycol is produced from Ethylene by non-catalytic hydration of Ethylene Oxide and water at elevated temp and pressure.
The nameplate capacity of the MEG plant is 303000 TPA with Di Ethylene Glycol (DEG) and Tri Ethylene Glycol (TEG) as by products. DEG and TEG production capacities are 21600 TPA and 1000 TPA respectively. Since MEG and PTA are used in conjunction, the MEG plant capacity nearly matches the rated capacity of IndianOil PTA plant.
Indianoil is also coming up with a new Greenfield Glycol plant at Paradip Refinery (Capacity 3,57,000 MTPA wherein MEG – 3,36,000 MTPA, DEG-24,000 MTPA, TEG -1400 MTPA), which is likely to be commissioned by Dec’2022.
Application
MEG is predominantly used with PTA as a raw material in manufacture of Polyester Staple Fibres, Polyester Filament Yarns and Polyethylene Terepthalate & Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Terepthalate films.MEG also finds vast application in chemical sector like in coolants, brake fluids, antitfreeze Alkyd Resin, Unsaturated Polyester Resin etc.
With the comissioning of MEG plant, The basket of raw materials from IndianOil for the Polyester industry becomes complete. For the last two years large quantities of MEG were being imported into the country and commissioning of IndianOil MEG facility is expected to partially meet the shortage in the country. The introduction of IndianOil in MEG business, will therefore add a fillip to the Polyester industry working, leading to higher operating capacities.
Advantages of Scientific Design Process
The proven and widely used Scientific Design process provides the following advantages:
- Better fibre grade product
- Less impurities