Union Carbide Ethanolamines

Ethanolamines, Brochure F-41175C, Union Carbide Corp., Danbury, Coim., 1990. 

An explosion and fire (March 13, 1991) occurred at an ethylene oxide unit at Union Carbide Chemicals Plastics Co. s Seadrift plant in Port Lavaca, TX, 125 miles southwest of Houston. The blast killed one, injured 19, and idled the facility, that also produces ethylene, ethylene glycol, glycol ether ethanolamines, and polyethylene. Twenty-five residents were evacuated for several hours as a safety precaution. The plant lost all electrical power, for a few days, because its cogeneration unit was damaged. The Seadrift plant, with 1,600 workers, is capable of making 820 million lb per year of ethylene oxide which is one-third of Carbide s worldwide production of antifreeze, polyester fibers, and surfactants Seadrift produces two thirds of Carbide s worldwide production of polyethylene. 

Monoethanolamine (MEA), ethanolamine (ETA) 2-aminoethanol 2-hydroxyethylamine Nt CPLjCHjOH. MW = 61.1. Sp. gr. = 1.012. Flash point 93 °C. Also used as an absorbent for acidic gases in petrochemical operations. A breakdown product of morpholine and so is often found in secondary steam cycles systems. Thought to be superior to morpholine. Available as a 99+% alkylamine, commodity product, from several international manufacturers, including BP Chemicals PLC, Union Carbide, and Texaco Corporation. Commonly available through chemical distributors. 

Morlex DEEA. [Union Carbide] N,N-Diethyl ethanolamine corrosion control agent in boiler water and steam systems. 

---