Formaldehyde is used in numerous applications as an organic raw material for the synthesis of various end products. Thus, formaldehyde is found not only in the chemical but also often 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 main production processes offer different advantages and disadvantages. Due to its 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® measuring 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, which 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® measuring technology is used to isolate the finished intermediate product and ensure the quality of the final product. Complex laboratory measurements, which only provide analytical values with a time delay, are eliminated. Process efficiency can be derived based on the precisely determined inline concentrations of formaldehyde and methanol.
Installation
The LiquiSonic® measuring technology is installed directly in transport lines to determine the concentrations of the intermediate or final product inline. The LiquiSonic® Controller 40 is connected to the LiquiSonic® ultrasonic sensor and the measurement 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%
Concentration formaldehyde: 40 - 60%
Temperature: 60 - 80 °C
