Aug 3 2004
To meet the growing demand in the European market for ethylene oxide (EO) and ethylene glycol, Shell Nederland Chemie BV recently started up a third EO reactor at Moerdijk in the Netherlands. Other improvements included the expansion of the ethylene glycol plant, installation of a new compressor, and the modernisation of the control and safeguarding systems.
These measures increase the plant's annual production capacity of ethylene oxide and monoethylene glycol to 305,000 (up from 250,000) and 155,000 (up from 130,000) tonnes, respectively. The products are mainly used in the plastics industry for bottle manufacture and to produce polyester fibres for clothing and furniture, coolants (antifreeze), detergents and surfactants. EO is also an intermediate in the manufacture of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams, brake fluids and water-soluble solvents.
With preparation time, the project spanned three years and was completed on time and on budget. The plant underwent a successful start-up and has since reached design throughput.
"The conclusion of this project and next year's scheduled production launch in Nanhai, China, enable Shell chemicals companies to strengthen their leading positions in the manufacture and sale of ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol," said Bill Rothwell, Vice President of EO/Glycols.
For more information on ethylene glycol