PRODUCTION OF FORMALDEHYDE FROM METHANOL

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
TASK 3

PROVIDED BY
YOUSEF MEHNATISORKHABI

EXAMINER
TIINA HANNELE LAITINEN

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF OULU

PRODUCTION OF FORMALDEHYDE FROM METHANOL

Yousef Mehnatisorkhabi
Department of Process and Environmental Engineering, University of Oulu

Summary of the project

The process begins by mixing of vaporized methanol and air prior to entering the reactors.
Inside the heat exchanger reactor, the feed is passed through the metal oxide catalyst filled
tubes where heat is removed from the exothermic reaction to the outside of the tubes (Krylov
1993). Short tubes (1 1.5 m) and a shell diameter 2.5 m is the expected design of typical
reactors. The bottom product leaving the reactors is cooled and passed to the absorber. The
composition of formaldehyde in the absorber outlet is controlled by the amount of water
addition. ( An almost methanol-free product can be achieved on this process design. The
advantage of this process over the silver based catalyst is the absence of the distillation
column to separate unreacted methanol and formaldehyde product. It also has a life span of 12
to 18 months, larger than the sliver catalyst. However, the disadvantage of this process design
is the need for significantly large equipment to accommodate the increased flow of gases (3
times larger) compared to the original silver catalyst process design. This increase in
equipment sizing clashes with economic prospect behind the design costs.

Analyze and specifications

Qualitative Methods: Qualitative detection of formaldehyde is primarily by colorimetric
methods. Schiffs fuchsin-bisulfite reagent is the general reagent used for detecting aldehydes.
In the presence of strong acids, it reacts with formaldehyde to form a specific bluish violet
dye.
Quantitative Methods: Quantitative determination of pure aqueous solutions of formaldehyde
can be carried out rapidly by measuring their specific gravity. Gas chromatography and highpressure liquid chromatography can also be used for direct determination (Brown and Parkyns
1991).
Chemical Methods: The most important chemical method for determining formaldehyde is
the sodium sulphite method. It is based on the quantitative liberation of sodium hydroxide
when formaldehyde reacts with excess sodium sulphite.
CH2O + Na2SO3 + H2O ----> HOCH2SO3Na + NaOH

Cost of materials
The economic construction and efficient operation of a process unit will depend upon how
well the plant and equipment specified on the process flow sheet is laid out and on the
profitability of the project with its scope for future expansion.
Material

PELEMINIARY COST

Methanol

250 500 US $ / Metric Ton

Formalin
Silver

380 838 US $ / Metric Ton

1000 - 3,000 US $ / Kilogram

*The table adapted from: Austin, G. T. (1984) Shreves Chemical Process Industries. 5th Ed. New
York: McGraw-Hill.

Gantt Table

Months

Jan

time(day)

February

March

April

May

June

No

Weeks
1
2

Review of literature
Selecting of catalyst and meterials

1
21
7

Evaluation and scheduling of experimental

Drafting research schedule

Evaluation of the money needed

30

Preliminary analysis of Methanol

15

Pretreatment of Methanol

15

Analyze of products

18

Analyze of Formaldehyde production

14

10

Drafting of report

14

11

Revision of final report

15

12

Submission of final report

14

References
Austin, G. T. (1984) Shreves Chemical Process Industries. 5th Ed. New York: McGrawHill.
Brown, M. J. and Parkyns, N.D. (1991) Progress in the Partial Oxidation of

Methane to Methanol and Formaldehyde. Catalysis Today. [Online] Vol.8. p. 305-335.

Available from: http://sciencedirect.com. [Accessed: 10th November 2014].

Krylov, O. V. (1993) Catalytic Reactions of Partial Methane Oxidation. Catalysis Today

Vol.18 p.209-302. Available from: http://sciencedirect.com. [Accessed: 10th November
2014].