What Is Triethylene Glycol Used For?

Triethylene glycol, commonly referred to as TEG, triglycol, and trigen, is an inert, viscous liquid having the chemical formula C6H14O4. It is renowned for both its fluid-dehumidifying properties and hygroscopicity. When ethylene is heated to a high temperature and exposed to a silver oxide catalyst, TEG is produced as a byproduct. Ethylene oxide is then hydrated to produce mono (one), di (two), tri (three), and tetraethylene glycols.

A homologous sequence of dihydroxy alcohols includes triethylene glycol. It is a stable liquid that is colorless and odorless and has a high boiling point. TEG is renowned for its hygroscopic properties and its capacity to dehumidify fluids, in addition to its usage as a raw material in the production and synthesis of other goods.This substance has a boiling point of 286.5 °C and a freezing point of 7 °C at standard atmospheric pressure (101.325 kPa) and is miscible with water. It is also soluble in ethanol, acetone, acetic acid, glycerine, pyridine, and aldehydes. Diethyl ether, oil, fat, and the majority of hydrocarbons are insoluble in it.

The oil and gas sector uses TEG to "dehydrate" natural gas. Other gases, such as CO2, H2S, and other oxygenated gases, may also be dehydrated using it. Natural gas must be dried to a certain extent since its humidity might lead to frozen pipelines and other issues for the gas' end consumers.When natural gas is in contact with triethylene glycol, the water in the gas is removed. Triethylene glycol is heated to a high temperature and then sent through a condensing system, which recovers the TEG for ongoing re-use within the system and eliminates the water as waste. It has been determined that the waste TEG generated by this procedure contains enough benzene to qualify as hazardous waste (benzene content greater than 0.5 mg/L).

It is generally known that triethylene glycol is a reasonably moderate disinfectant when used on a range of bacteria, influenza A viruses, and Penicillium notatum fungal spores. However, it approaches ideal for air disinfection purposes in occupied places because of its extraordinarily low toxicity, wide range of material compatibility, and minimal odor.

Triethylene glycol was the subject of extensive scientific research in the 1940s and 1950s, but that research successfully established the substance's antibacterial effectiveness against surface-bound, solution-suspended, and airborne microorganisms. Triethylene Glycol's capacity to render influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes inactive The first mention of an airborne virus was made in 1943.

Penicillium notatum spores, Chlamydophila psittaci, Group C streptococcus, type 1 pneumococcus, Staphylococcus albus, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens Bizio (ATCC 274) have all been documented to be inactivated in the air after the initial report. For suspensions of Penicillium notatum spores, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus viridans, and Mycobacterium bovis, solutions of triethylene glycol are reported to be antibacterial.

The H1N1 influenza A virus has also been shown to be inactivated on surfaces. According to the most recent research, triethylene glycol may prove to be a powerful tool in the fight against pandemics and future influenza outbreaks. Triethylene glycol treatment makes at least certain viruses, such as Pseudomonas phage phi6, more contagious.