Triethylene Glycol (TEG) is most commonly used for natural gas dehydration to strip the water out of the gas. TEG is wildly used in applications which require higher boiling point, higher molecular weight with low volatility such as plasticizer, unsaturated polyester resin, emulsifiers, lubricants, heat transfer fluids and solvent for equipment cleaning, printing ink.

Production

Triethylene glycol is prepared commercially as a co-product of the oxidation of ethylene at high temperature, in the presence of a silver oxide catalyst.  The ethylene oxide is then hydrated to yield mono, di, tri, and tetra ethylene glycols.

It is estimated that the total world consumption of TEG is in excess of 175 metric tons annually.

Uses

Oil & Gas Industry

The main uses for tri ethylene glycol are based upon its hygroscopic quality. This means that it can absorb moisture from the air through absorption or adsorption. It is used as a dehydrating agent for natural gas pipelines where it removes the water from the gas before being condensed. Triethylene glycol can then be continually reused, although the by-product of benzene needs to be disposed of carefully. This process is useful as it prevents the gas from freezing making the gas easier to transport and manage for end consumers.

Mild Disinfectant

Triethylene glycol can also be used as a mild disinfectant. Due to its low toxicity, antimicrobial properties, and low odor, it is commonly used for air disinfection in occupied areas where more aggressive disinfectants cannot be used. Due to these disinfectant properties and the dehydrating properties, it is an ideal dehumidifying agent in air-conditioning units.