The Preliminary Design of Ethylene Glycol Plant Using Coal Gasification

Abstract

Indonesia possesses abundant coal reserves that can be utilized as an alternative feedstock for ethylene glycol (EG) production. This study presents the preliminary design of an EG plant based on a coal gasification route, offering an alternative to the conventional ethylene oxide hydration process. In this process, coal is converted into synthesis gas (syngas) via gasification, followed by syngas conditioning and catalytic conversion into ethylene glycol. The proposed plant has a production capacity of 50,000 tons per year and operates for 330 days annually, 24 hours per day.The plant is planned to be located in Separi Village, Tenggarong Seberang District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province, covering an area of 16,000 m². The organizational structure adopts a line-and-staff system with a total workforce of 149 employees. Water for the process is supplied from the Mahakam River, while electricity is provided by the State Electricity Company (PLN) and supported by an on-site generator with a capacity of 10,420 kW. Economic evaluation indicates that the project is financially feasible, with a pay-out time (POT) of 3.57 years, a break-even point (BEP) of 25.71%, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 24.01%.