Technology Type

Ethylene Oxide reacts exothermically with 20-30% Aqueous Ammonia at 60-150°C and 30-150 bar to form a Mixture of the three theoretically possible Ethanolamines with high selectivity: C₂H₄(O) + NH₃ ? H₂NC₂H₄OH + HN(C₂H₄OH)₂ + N(C₂H₄OH)₃ The composition of the Reaction Product can be influenced by Temperature and Pressure, but is especially sensitive to the ratio of NH₃ to Ethylene Oxide; the greater the excess of NH₃, the higher the Monoethanolamine Content: ??Mol ratio NH₃/EO = 10:1 - Selectivity 75% MEA | 21% DEA | 4% TEA ??Mol ratio NH₃/EO = 1:1 - Selectivity 12% MEA | 23% DEA | 65% TEA The high TEA content resulting from an equimolar Mixture of Reactants indicates that the primary Reaction with NH₃ is slower than the secondary Reaction. Ethoxylated By-products can also result from the reaction between Ethylene Oxide and the OH Groups of Triethanolamine.