Formaldehyde is used in numerous applications as an organic base material for the synthesis of various end products. In addition to the chemical industry, formaldehyde is also often found in the pharmaceutical industry. Typical synthesis products are resins, dyes, fertilizers, disinfectants, pesticides, and medicines.
Formaldehyde is produced by the oxidation of methanol. The two most important production processes offer different advantages and disadvantages. Due to higher efficiency and lower residual methanol content, the silver process has now replaced the metal oxide process. However, more frequent catalyst regeneration is advisable here.
With the robust LiquiSonic® measurement technology the synthesis can be monitored inline and the methanol and formaldehyde content can be precisely determined.
Application
Formaldehyde is predominantly produced on a large scale using the silver process. Methanol gas is mixed with air and passed over silver electrodes that act catalytically. A formaldehyde gas is formed, which is precipitated with water and collected as a liquid.
Das überschüssige Methanol wird zurückgewonnen und dem Prozess wieder zugeführt, wobei ein Rest von < 1 m% im Formaldehyd verbleibt um es zu stabilisieren. The LiquiSonic® measurement technology is used to isolate the finished intermediate product and ensure the quality of the end product. Complex laboratory measurements, which only provide analysis values with a time delay, are eliminated. Process efficiency can be derived from the precisely determined inline formaldehyde and methanol concentrations.
Installation
The LiquiSonic® measurement technology is installed directly in transport lines to determine the concentrations of the intermediate or end product inline. The LiquiSonic® Controller 40 is connected with the LiquiSonic® ultrasonic sensor as well as the measuring unit for the second physical quantity (density). The controller displays the concentration of formaldehyde and methanol in the main view.
Typical measuring range:
Concentration Methanol: 0 - 5 wt%
Concentration Formaldehyde: 40 - 60 wt%
Temperature: 60 - 80 °C
