Ethylene Glycol by Hydration of Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene glycol is ethylene oxide with water added. With no catalyst it is heated to 150–200 °C at 20–40 bar in 10 to 20 times as much water by moles, which keeps it from going on to di- and triethylene glycol. The water and the heavier glycols are then distilled off. It is poisonous if swallowed. The picture: our diagram of reactor and columns.