Formic Acid Thermal Separation Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for obtaining formic acid through thermal separation of formic acid and tertiary amines face challenges such as contamination from organic degradation products, high energy consumption, and instability over long operating times, leading to impurities and reduced yield.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the thermal separation of formic acid and tertiary amine, where methyl formate, water, and tertiary amine are combined under specific molar ratios and temperature conditions to minimize organic degradation product formation, allowing for high-purity formic acid production with reduced energy consumption and stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thermal separation of formic acid and tertiary amine is performed using conventional processes, then formic acid can be obtained, but organic degradation products contaminate the product and reduce purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the molar ratio of tertiary amine to formic acid source within the range of 0.05 to 2.0, and by controlling the reaction temperature within 50 to 200°C. These parameter optimizations minimize organic degradation product formation while maintaining high formic acid purity, directly resolving the contradiction between product purity and harmful contamination.
2Productivity
If thermal separation process is operated for extended periods, then production capacity is maintained, but process stability deteriorates and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring and adjusting the molar ratio of tertiary amine to formic acid source within the optimized range of 0.05 to 2.0, and by maintaining reaction temperature within 50 to 200°C. This feedback mechanism ensures process stability over extended operation periods while maintaining high productivity and yield.
3Productivity
If conventional thermal separation process is used, then formic acid can be produced, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces energy consumption by optimizing the reaction temperature parameter within the range of 50 to 200°C, which is lower than conventional processes. This parameter change maintains effective formic acid production while significantly reducing the energy required for thermal separation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process effectively reduces organic degradation product concentration, maintains high formic acid purity, and operates stably over extended periods with lower energy consumption, achieving high yield and constant quality.
Implementation Method 1
The aqueous formic acid obtained by hydrolysis
Implementation Method 2
formic acid is removed by distillation from the liquid stream comprising formic acid, water and tertiary amine (I) obtained from step (b) in a distillation apparatus at a temperature at the bottom of from 100 to 300° C. and a pressure of from 30 to 3000 hPa abs.
Implementation Method 3
the addition compounds of formic acid and tertiary nitrogen bases can be formed by combining the tertiary nitrogen base and a formic acid source
Data Source
AI summary
Process for obtaining formic acid by thermal separation of a stream comprising formic acid and a tertiary amine (I), in which, in step (a), a liquid stream comprising formic acid, methanol, water and tertiary amine (I) is produced by combining methyl formate, water and tertiary amine (I), from there in step (b), methanol is separated off and in step (c), formic acid is removed by distillation from the liquid stream obtained in a distillation apparatus, wherein, when methyl formate, water and tertiary amine (I) are combined, methyl formate, water and optionally tertiary amine (I) are first introduced in step (a1) in a molar ratio of 0≦n(amine to a1)/n(mefo to a1)≦0.1, and from 70 to 100% of the hydrolysis equilibrium possible is set and then, in step (a2), tertiary amine (I) is introduced in a molar ratio of 0.1≦n(amine to a2)/n(mefo to a1)≦2, and the mixture is reacted.