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General Chemistry
Monoethanolamine (MEA)
Formula:
C₂H₇NO
GOST/CAS:
ГОСТ 10597-87 / CAS 141-43-5
Monoethanolamine (a highly effective amino alcohol that combines the properties of both amines and alcohols) is a clear, viscous liquid with a distinct, mild ammoniacal odor. It serves as a key component in gas treating, organic synthesis, and the production of household chemicals. The product is completely miscible with water and alcohols in all proportions. Due to its high reactivity and alkaline properties, MEA is indispensable as an acid gas absorbent, an emulsifier, and a vital raw material in the chemical, petroleum refining, and textile industries.
Applications
Gas Treating and Oil Refining: Used as an absorbent for scrubbing technological gases (natural gas, refinery gas, synthesis gas) to remove carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other acid impurities, allowing for subsequent thermal regeneration of the solution.
Household and Industrial Chemicals: Incorporated into the formulations of detergents, cleaning agents, liquid soaps, shampoos, and laundry powders as a surfactant intermediate and pH regulator.
Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: Used in the preparation of emulsifiers for creams and ointments, as an emulsion stabilizer, and as an intermediate chemical building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals.
Textile and Leather Industries: Applied in textile processing and leather conditioning, as an auxiliary agent in dyeing, and as a component in metalworking fluids (soluble oils) and corrosion inhibitors.
Key Advantages
High Absorption Capacity: Efficiently binds and removes sour gases even at low partial pressures, ensuring deep purification of gas streams.
Versatile Reactivity: Due to the simultaneous presence of amino and hydroxyl functional groups, it readily undergoes organic synthesis reactions to produce a wide range of derivatives (ethylenediamine, taurine, surfactants).
Excellent Emulsifying Properties: Readily forms stable oil-in-water emulsions, enhances the detergency of cleaning formulations, and stabilizes finished products.
Regeneration Stability: MEA solutions easily desorb captured gases upon heating, making it highly effective for continuous, cyclic operation over multiple loops.
Storage & Transportation
- Store in dry, cool, and well-ventilated warehouses in tightly sealed original packaging (airtight steel or plastic drums), away from heat sources and open flames.
- Recommended storage temperature range: from +5°C to +30°C. Avoid freezing (the freezing point of pure MEA is approximately +10.5°C) and overheating.
- Protect from direct sunlight, moisture exposure, and prevent any contact with strong acids and oxidizing agents.
- Transportation is permissible via all types of covered transport in strict compliance with dangerous goods regulations (classified under Hazard Class 8: corrosive and caustic substances). The guaranteed shelf life is 1 year from the date of manufacture.
Frequently bought together
Technical Specifications
Appearance
Clear, viscous liquid free from foreign matter (a slight yellowish tint is permissible)
Molecular Weight
61.08 g/mol
Assay (Main Substance Content)
≥ 99.0%
Density (at 20°C)
1.015 – 1.019 g/cm³
pH (0.1 M aqueous solution)
11.5 – 12.5 (Strongly alkaline properties)
Dynamic Viscosity (at 20°C)
23.0 – 25.0 mPa·s
Supply info
- Industrial plastic IBC totes (1000–1050 kg net) or standard steel/plastic drums (200–210 kg net).
- Bulk delivery via dedicated road tankers (chemical tank trucks) is available for large-volume wholesale shipments.