The industrial production of formic acid via the synthesis of methyl formate from carbon monoxide (CO) and methanol (CH₃OH), followed by hydrolysis, is a process that has gained attention for its efficiency and sustainability. Here's an overview of the technology involved:
● Carbon monoxide and methanol are reacted under high pressure in the presence of a suitable catalyst to produce methyl formate.
● The methyl formate is then hydrolyzed with water to yield formic acid and regenerate methanol, which can be recycled back into the process.
Technical Features
High Efficiency: The direct carbonylation of methanol to methyl formate is a well-established and relatively high-yield process.
Renewable Feedstock: Methanol can be produced from renewable sources like biomass or via CO₂ utilization.
Recycling of Methanol: The hydrolysis step regenerates methanol, which can be recirculated, reducing material waste and improving overall process sustainability.
Formic Acid Specification
| Item | Index | 
|  | 94% | 90% | 85% | 
|  | Superior grade | First grade | Conformed grade | Superior grade | First grade | Conformed grade | Superior grade | First grade | Conformed Grade | 
| Formic acid, wt% | ≥94.0 | ≥90.0 | ≥85.0 | 
| Color/Hazen Unit (Pt-Co Color) | ≤10 | ≤20 | ≤10 | ≤20 | ≤10 | ≤20 | ≤30 | 
| Dilution Test (Sample + Water = 1+3) | Not turbid | Passes test | Not turbid | Passes test | Not turbid | Passes test | 
| Chloride (as per Cl), wt% | ≤0.0005 | ≤0.001 | ≤0.002 | ≤0.0005 | ≤0.002 | ≤0.002 | ≤0.004 | ≤0.006 | 
| Sulphate (as per SO4), wt% | ≤0.0005 | ≤0.001 | ≤0.005 | ≤0.0005 | ≤0.001 | ≤0.005 | ≤0.001 | ≤0.002 | ≤0.020 | 
| Iron (as per Fe), wt% | ≤0.0001 | ≤0.0004 | ≤0.0006 | ≤0.0001 | ≤0.0004 | ≤0.0006 | ≤0.0001 | ≤0.0004 | ≤0.0006 | 
| Evaporation Residue, wt% | ≤0.006 | ≤0.015 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.006 | ≤0.015 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.006 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.060 |