| abstract |
The present invention provides a method for producing ethylene glycol by hydrolysis of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether. The method involves passing fresh raw material containing ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and water through a reaction zone loaded with a solid acid catalyst for the reaction under the following conditions; separating the reacted mixture by means of a separation system to obtain the target product ethylene glycol, by-products containing methanol, dimethyl ether and derivatives based on ethylene glycol, and unreacted raw material containing ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and water; moving the target product, ethylene glycol, to the product collection system; and transferring methyl alcohol and dimethyl ether in the by-products to the by-product collection system; and after mixing with fresh raw materials containing ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and water, ethylene glycol derivatives in by-products and unreacted raw materials containing ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and water are recycled to the reaction zone to produce ethylene glycol by ethylene glycol hydrolysis. The present invention provides a new method for producing ethylene glycol by hydrolysis of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether. And in the method, the catalyst has a long service life and good stability. |