[5] Shell claims that this process, compared to conventional ones, does not produce higher glycols, uses less steam and water, and generates less waste.
In the OMEGA process, over-oxidation is reduced by including ethyl chloride as a moderator.
Due to monoethylene glycol's high boiling point, purification by distillation is energy intensive.
The carbon dioxide is released in this step again and can be fed back into the process circuit.
[2] This part of the OMEGA process was originally developed by Mitsubishi Chemicals, and it has been exclusively licensed to Shell.