Methanol; CO

formic acid

To produce high purity formic acid from impure CO gas and H2O.

Description: A dilute, impure or pure carbon monoxide gas is reacted (1) with methanol to produce methylformate. After separating (2) the CO stack gas, the methylformate is hydrolyzed (3) and the products are separated (4,5,6) to produce pure formic acid and methanol. The methanol is recycled to the first stage of this process. CH3OH + CO <==> HCOOCH3
HCOOCH3 + H2O <==> HCOOH + CH3OH
Net reaction = CO + H2O <==> HCOOH

   Yield on CO gas depends on the quality of the gas but yields are high.   Methanol usage is guaranteed at 2 lb per 100 lb of product.

   Utility consumptions: per 100 lb of product:

steam, lb. Water, cooling, gal             Electricity, kWh	650 4,000 8

   Product quality:
      80 to 98% product acid.

Component Names and Formula