What are MEG and DEG?
Let’s discuss MEG and DEG. C2H6O2 is the formula for the chemical molecule known variously as mono ethylene glycol (MEG), ethylene glycol (EG), 1,2-ethanediol, and 1,2-dihydroxyethane. It is a very clear, colorless liquid with a mildly sweet flavor and almost no discernible odor. We mainly employed it in the production of polyester fibers and as a component in creating antifreeze, coolants, aircraft anti-icers, and de-icers because of its miscibility with water, alcohol, and many other organic compounds. The chemical formula for diethylene glycol (DEG, 2,2-oxydiethanol, and diglycol) is C4H10O3. This liquid has no discernible taste or odor. Besides being hygroscopic, it is also soluble in water and a wide variety of organic compounds, making it a valuable industrial chemical.
Mono ethylene glycol uses
Some of the many mono ethylene glycol uses include:
- It is used in the production of different types of inks and dyes.
- To create polyester films and resins.
- As a softener in the textile industry.
- To make antifreeze and engine coolants.
- Used in the chemical industry as a building block.
- It’s a necessary component in the production of explosives.
- To add moisture and flexibility.
Diethylene glycol uses
The industrial applications for Diethylene glycol are extensive. Because of its hygroscopic characteristics, cigarette manufacturers use it as a humectant to maintain a consistent moisture level in the tobacco filler. In the natural gas business, we use it as a dehydrator to remove water from gas pipelines. This same ability makes it beneficial for treating paper, cork, glue, and cellophane. It is also a chemical intermediary producing various products, including unsaturated polyester resins, plasticizers, acrylate and methacrylate resins, and urethanes. A whopping 51% of DEG is used in this fashion in the United States and Western Europe. Its primary use, however, is as a cement grinding aid in Japan. It is also present in printing ink and drywall joint compounds, and it has a place in extracting petroleum as a solvent. The decreased toxicity of triethylene glycol makes it more appealing to producers, which has led to its displacement of diethylene glycol in several applications.
Mono-ethylene glycol vs ethylene glycol (MEG and DEG)
Although we discussed Mono-ethylene glycol vs ethylene glycol (MEG and DEG) at the beginning of this post, there is, in fact, no functional difference between them. You can tell the two apart by delving into the arcane details of their separate chemistry, but to the average consumer, there is little to choose between them.
Mono ethylene glycol properties
Mono ethylene glycol properties are:
- Formula: (C2H6O2)(CH2)2O(HOCH2CH2OH)
- Ethylene glycol (EG) is also known as mono ethylene glycol (MEG), mono ethyl glycol (MEG), ethylene glycol (EG), ethane-1,2-diol (Ethane-1,2-diol), EG, industrial glycol, 1,2-dihydroxyethane (DHE), and glycol alcohol.
- Molecular Mass: 62.07 g/mol
- Exact Mass: 62.036779 g/mol
- Flashpoint: 232 °F/ 111.11 °C
- Autoignition temperature: 770 °F / 410 °C
- Boiling Point: 387.5 °F / 197.6 °C
- Melting Point: 9 ° F / -12.8 °C
- Vapor Pressure: 0.06 mm Hg at 68 °F / 20 °C
- Density: 1.115 at 68 °F
- Log P: -1.69
Diethylene glycol properties
Diethylene glycol
Diethylene glycol’s technical features including mass, density, Deg boiling point and etc. are:
- C4H10O3, sometimes written as (CH2CH2OH) 2O, is its molecular formula.
- We also known Diglycol as dihydroxydiethyl ether, 2,2-oxydiethanol, or DEG.
- Molecular Mass: 106.12 g/mol
- Flashpoint (open cup): 143 °C (290 °F)
- Autoignition temperature: 229 °C (444 °F)
- Deg Boiling Point: 245 °C (473 °F)
- Melting Point: -10 °C (14 °F)
- Density: 1.12 at 20 °C (68 °F)
- Log P: -1.47
MEG and DEG Storage and Distribution
Let’s see how MEG and DEG are distributed and stored:
- We can store Diethylene glycol in stainless steel, aluminum, or lined drums, tank cars, or trucks. The specific gravity is 1.118, and the flash point is 143 degrees Celsius (open cup). NFPA 704 gives the compound a flammability grade of 1, showing that it needs high temperatures to ignite. Even though it is dangerous and could be poisonous if eaten, there are no rules about how it can be shipped by land, air, or sea.
- In accordance with NFPA 704, mono ethylene glycol has an instability rating of 0. This shows that monoethylene glycol is often safe to use. The vapors released by monoethylene glycol are heavier than air and will spread to the surrounding environment. The chemical has a high flammability rating of 1, requiring elevated temperatures to ignite and burn (the flashpoint is 111.11 °C). However, when MEG is stored, it must be protected from fire, sparks, and other heat sources. Fires should be extinguished using alcohol-resistant foam or water spray to keep the flammable liquid from seeping into the groundwater or sewer systems.