Thermal and catalytic decomposition of aqueous ethylene glycol mixtures by film boiling

Diluting ethylene glycol with water decreases the overall chemical reactivity owing to preferential vaporization of water that enriches the film with steam. The presence of steam in the vapor film appears to reduce carbon deposition or “coking” on the tube when enrichment by steam is significant: deposits were observed for pure EG and 90%EG/10%water mixtures but not for 80%EG/20%water mixtures.