Diethylene Glycol (DEG)

Specification

Alternative (Trade) Names DEG
HS Code 29094400
Physical and Chemical Properties
Chemical Formula HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH or C4H10O3
Density (S.G) 1.12 g/cm^3
Molar Mass 106.12 g/mol
Melting Point 10.45 °C
Boiling Point 245 °C
Self-Ignition Temperature 224 °C
Flash Point in the Presence of Flame 124 °C

Description

Diethylene Glycol (DEG) with chemical formula of (CH2CH2OH)2O, is one of the most well-known organic solvents in the industry. DEG’s molecular weight is higher than MEG. DEG is also less volatile than MEG; therefore, it is used in different applications compared to MEG.

Diethylene Glycol is soluble in water, alcohol, ether, acetone and Ethylene Glycol. Furthermore, DEG is miscible with water and organic solvents.; In other words, it can be dissolved in many conditions at various concentrations. DEG is combustible and toxic. It can react with Sulfuric Acid, Nitric Acid, Oxygen, Hydrogen Peroxide, perchloric acid and other strong acids.

DEG markets in the world

The Asia-Pacific region has the largest share of the global market for DEG. This is mostly due to the high demand for this product in various industries such as automobiles, chemicals and construction. Main markets of DEG are India, China and South Korea.
Europe and North America are other important markets for Diethylene Glycol. Europe is DEG’s second largest market due to the significant demand the textile and automotive industries. Having a significant automotive market and high value of natural gas production, North America is pioneer to consume Diethylene Glycol in the natural gas industry.

Iran is both a user and producer of DEG on a big scale. TEAM chemicals is Iranian supplier of DEG and other types of Glycol such as Monothylene Glycol (MEG), Triethylen Glycol (TEG) and Drilling Glycol.

Supply Diethylene Glycol from TEAM

TEAM company has been actively supplying Diethylene Glycol from Iran to numerous industries and has competitive pricing. Our DEG 99% has been supplied to neighboring countries; references are available upon request. We have a standard quality control system in place and can arrange for international inspection with the help of inspection companies such as SGS.

Please note that DEG is a highly in demand product and should be requested in advance.

Diethylene Glycol Pricing

The price of Diethylene Glycol may vary depending on its purity and delivery method. Please contact TEAM sales department through our contact numbers.

Packaging

DEG is supplied in 230 kg drums and/or in IBCs (intermediate bulk containers). Tanks and barrels for storage of this material are made of metal or polyethylene as corrosion resistance is required. Although DEG is classified as a toxic and harmful substance, there are flexible regulations for its transportation by road, rail, air or sea.

Advantages of Diethylene Glycol

Diethylene Glycol is a common and ideal chemical intermediate for the synthesis of other chemicals. DEG is produced in much larger volumes than Propylene and other Glycols; therefore, its production cost is usually lower. Furthermore, DEG has the best heat transfer rate of all Glycols.
Compared to Propylene Glycol, a lower percentage of Ethylene Glycol is required when mixed with water to achieve the same protection at the freezing point. DEG has a significantly lower viscosity than Propylene Glycol, particularly at sub-zero temperatures. consequently, the result of DEG having lower viscosity means it requires less pumping energy and therefore less cost to operate.

Disadvantages

DEG handling and working conditions are sensitive and users should be extremely careful when working with DEG. Due to the toxicity of Diethylene Glycol, its use in food or medicine is constrained and mostly prohibited. Please refer to TEAM MSDS for further details on DEG hazards.

Structural Formula

Diethylene Glycol has two Hydroxyl groups and two groups of ethylene -which are bonded together by an oxygen atom. The structural formula of DEG is illustrated below:

Applications

Diethylene Glycol Applications

This material is mostly used in paint, resin and gas industries. Many products, including saturated and unsaturated polyester resins and antifreeze, require DEG for production. Due to its many mentioned applications, DEG is better known as a solvent. Having high absorption capability, DEG plays an important and vital role in moisture-sensitive products. Diethylene Glycol is widely used in various industries for different applications due to its superior properties. DEG is used directly in the production of polyester resins, polyunsaturated and unsaturated plasticizers and polyurethane foam as an intermediate. Moreover, mentioned polyester resins have various applications in daily consumables such as furniture, luggage, car and aircraft, fabrics, beverage bottles and etc. DEG is used for dehydration of natural and synthetic gases. Besides that, DEG is widely used to remove impurities from gases. DEG has magnificent properties as a solvent; therefore, it is used in cases such as separation of aromatics and paraffinic hydrocarbons. Other major applications of DEG are in producing of dyes, lubricants, cooking oils, hydraulic brake fluids, stamp inks, ballpoint pens and other organic compounds. Moreover, DEG is used in personal care products such as skin creams, lotions, cosmetics and deodorants. It is worth mentioning that Monoethylene Glycol antifreezes also contains a low percentage of Diethylene Glycol.

Production method

Diethylene Glycol has been previously produced by the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide by Ethylene Chlorohydrin, but in modern times, it has been replaced by a direct oxidation reaction. DEG is commercially produced from the oxidation of ethylene at high temperatures in the presence of a silver oxide catalyst. DEG is a by-product in the mentioned process but nonetheless a very important chemical. Depending on the conditions of the reaction, different amounts of Diethylene Glycol and other types of Glycol family can be produced. Another catalytic process uses a phosphor-based catalyst to convert ethylene oxide to Monoethylene Glycol(MEG), which has a very minor by-product.

History of Material

Diethylene Glycol (DEG) was discovered and made in 1869. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4616334/).
DEG is not a healthy source of solvent to be used in the food industry. This is evidently noticeable when over one million barrels of beverages were collected from Germany and Australia due to its DEG content which had serious side effects.
The use of Diethylene Glycol in food and medicine is not permitted due to its adverse effects on humans.

Safety tips

Storage Condition

Diethylene Glycol should be stored in a ventilated and cool environment, away from heat and humidity. It is recommended to keep the Diethylene Glycol in stainless steel drums and under a neutral gas such as Nitrogen.