Charge the glycol. Start the agitator and introduce a slow stream of inert gas. heat to 80'C and add the maleic anhydride. Bring the temperature up to 150'C in 1 hour and then increase the temperature 10'C per hour up to 190'C. When the acid number is about 60, apply vacuum (100-200 mm, Hg residual pressure). Permit the temperature to fall to about 170'C and continue the vacuum treatment until the acid number is below 50. Cool and add an inhibitor.