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Analytical tools for monitoring glycol degradation

Abstract

This paper aims to develop new methods for monitoring oxidative and thermal glycol degradation through solvent analysis. Methods for quantifying TEG, and for quantifying some degradation products (small glycols and acids), were successfully developed. The results were validated by applying two independent analytical methods for each compound monitored. The glycols were successfully quantified with gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and with quantitative carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectroscopy. The acidic degradation compounds were successfully quantified with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) and heat-stable salt (HSS) analysis. The thermal stability of TEG decreased with the addition of impurities, especially formic acid. Some color changes were observed during the degradation, but they were not linked with the amount of TEG degraded. Finally, it was found that TEG samples have limited stability, even if stored cold.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

  • Karen Karolina Høisæter
  • Vanja Buvik
  • Solrun Johanne Vevelstad
  • Hanna Katariina Knuutila

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Industry / Process Technology
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Year

2024

Published in

Results in Engineering (RINENG)

Volume

22

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository