Diethanolamine (DEA)
DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA) INTRODUCTION
Diethanolamine (DEA) serves primarily as a gas-scrubbing agent employed to eliminate carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas and refinery streams. Its versatile applications extend to being a surfactant, emulsifier, and corrosion inhibitor in personal care items, detergents, metalworking fluids, and various industrial processes. Beyond its gas-scrubbing role, Diethanolamine plays a crucial part in the production of diverse chemicals like plasticizers, resins, and pharmaceuticals. It functions as a solvent in dyestuff and pigment manufacturing, as well as in the synthesis of rubber and pharmaceutical intermediates. Despite its utility, exposure to concentrated DEA Diethanolamine can result in skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues, and harm if ingested. Consequently, proper precautions are essential when handling this substance. The use of DEA in personal care products has generated controversy due to potential health concerns, leading to restrictions in some countries.
WHAT IS DIETHANOLAMINE AND WHAT IS ITS USE?
Diethanolamine (DEA) has important applications in the production of detergents, gas treatment, textiles, and metalworking. It is a colorless liquid or a white crystalline solid with a smell like rotten fish or ammonia. This compound, which is classified in the group of organic substances, has both secondary amine and diol alcohol groups. This product, like other amines, is considered a weak game. DEA reacts with acids to form soaps and salts. Also, this material is very hygroscopic due to its alcoholic properties. The applications of diethanolamine include gas sweetening, lubricants and cleaning materials. This material is used in cleaning formulations, especially detergents, to form various amine salts and control pH.
PRODUCTION OF DIETHANOLAMINE
In general, ethanolamines are produced using ammonia and ethylene oxide solution. When the reaction takes place in the reactor, all three products of this family can be produced. Of course, by controlling the conditions, the reaction can be moved to the direction where one of them (here DEA) is produced more. The products obtained from the reactor after the reaction are sent to the separation section where ammonia (2) and water are separated from each other and impurities are separated. In the vacuum distillation towers (4,5,6,7), each of EA (mono, di, tri) is produced in a pure form with a purity percentage of 98%.
APPLICATIONS OF DIETHANOLAMINE
GAS INDUSTRY: Diethanolamine is used to sweeten natural gas and remove acid gases in pipelines due to its non-corrosive nature. Removing acid gases such as CO2, H2S, COS and CS2 from natural gas is one of the basic and important operations in industrial processes. The acid gases mentioned can all be present in natural gas. But the most common of them is hydrogen sulfide. Currently, the dominant process for removing these gases is the use of absorption with an aqueous solution of alkanoamines. Such washing processes are also used in oil refining, coal gasification and hydrogen production. In the newer methods that are used for removal from the hybrid solvent (physical and chemical), a mixture of an aqueous solution of diethanolamine and methanol is used.
RUBBER MANUFACTURING: In rubber making, two factors, curing and distribution of fillers, are very important. One of the compounds used to improve this is alkanoamide (ALK), which is produced by combining a compound obtained from palm and this product.
OTHER APPLICATIONS: Diethanolamine plays a role in rubber making as an intermediate chemical. It is widely used in the production of surface activators in the textile and pesticide industries. It is used as emulsifiers and dispersants in agricultural, cosmetic and pharmaceutical chemicals.
WHAT IS AN EMULSIFIER AND WHAT IS ITS USE?
In the manufacture of lubricants for the textile industry, it is used as a hydrating and softening agent in the production of organic synthetic materials. Cleaning liquid is for painting emulsions, shampoos, cleaners and polishes. Cocamide diethanolamine, which is one of the derivatives of this compound, is mainly considered to strengthen the foam or foam of surfactants or increase the viscosity in cosmetics and is considered as a softening agent in hair and skin. By dehydrating this substance, the composition of morpholine is obtained. It is used as a solvent and stabilizer in the production process of zinc oxide. It is used in products used in dry cleaning. They also use this product to make buffer. The above compound is used to prepare fatty acid amides, which may be used in various personal care products.
- Agricultural chemicals
- Personal care products
- gas purification
- chemicals
- Photography
- textile
- Urethane foams
The use of DEA in cosmetic products is not recommended. This combination in cosmetic products can create compounds such as nitrosamine, which can be very harmful to a person’s health. even lead to cancer in a person. Additionally, in cosmetic formulations, DEA may react with other ingredients to form a carcinogen called nitrosydanolamine (NDEA), which is absorbed through the skin.
DEA SAFETY, STORAGE AND PACKING GUIDELINES
SAFETY:
- Hazards: DEA is corrosive, can cause skin and eye irritation, and may be harmful if inhaled or ingested.
- PPE Requirements: Wear gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Use respiratory protection in poorly ventilated areas.
FIRST AID MEASURES:
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water.
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water and seek medical attention.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult.
STORAGE:
- Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and open flames.
- Keep away from strong oxidizing agents and acidic substances to avoid reactions.
- Use corrosion-resistant containers, such as those made of stainless steel or lined carbon steel.
- Maintain a temperature range of 15°C to 35°C (59°F to 95°F) to prevent crystallization or degradation.
PACKING:
- Typically packed in 200-liter drums or Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) made of steel or plastic.
- Ensure containers are sealed tightly to prevent moisture absorption and contamination.
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET OF DEA
Appearance (MOA 200) Clear liquid or white solid
Assay (MOA 549) ≥ 99.0 wt%
Monoethanolamine (MOA 549) ≤ 0.5
Color (MOA 201) ≤ 20 Hazen
Water (MOA 305) ≤ 0.2 wt%
Triethanolamine (MOA 549) ≤ 0.30
Characteristics
Form Viscous liquid
Color Colorless
Odor Ammonical
Water solubilit Completely
Solubility in other solvents Acetone;Ethanol
pH, 10% solution 11.5
Melting point/freezing point, 1013 hPa 27 °C
Boiling point/boiling range, 1013 hPa 270 °C
Flash point, 1013 hPa 100-199 °C
Ignition temperature > 150 °C
Vapor pressure, 20°C 0.00009 hPa
Density, 20°C 1100 kg/m³
Relative density, 20°C 1.1
Partition coefficient, N-octanol/water, 20°C, log Pow -2.46
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