[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, hazards and first aid measures of furfural

Furfural properties

Furfural (C? H? O₂) is an important organic compound that usually occurs in a colorless to light yellow liquid form with an almond-like aroma. Its chemical structure contains a furan ring and an aldehyde group, which makes it show diversity in chemical reactions. Furfural has a boiling point of 161.7°C, a melting point of -36.5°C and a density of about 1.159g/cm³. It is slightly soluble in water, but can be miscible with most organic solvents, such as ethanol, ether and benzene. Furfural is easily oxidized and gradually changes color under light, so it needs to be stored properly.

Furfural use

The use of furfural is very extensive, mainly concentrated in the chemical industry, medicine, agriculture and materials science and other fields. Furfural is an important intermediate for the synthesis of a variety of chemicals, such as furan resin, 2-methylfuran and 2-furanmethanol. These compounds have important applications in plastics, coatings, adhesives and preservatives. Furfural is also a raw material for the production of pesticides and drugs, and can be used to synthesize fungicides and antibiotics. Third, furfural is used in agriculture to make feed additives to improve the nutrient absorption rate of animals. Furfural is also used in the synthesis of fragrances and dyes, and because of its unique odor and chemical properties, it can give products a unique aroma and color.

Furfural upstream and downstream raw materials

The raw materials for furfural production are mainly from agricultural by-products, especially plant materials rich in hemicellulose, such as corn cobs, rice hulls, bagasse and wood chips. These raw materials are treated by acid hydrolysis or high-temperature cooking to produce a solution containing five-carbon sugars, which are then dehydrated and distilled to obtain furfural. In the production process, commonly used acid catalysts include sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid.

There are many kinds of downstream products of furfural, including furan resin, furan acid, furan alcohol and so on. These products are widely used in plastics, rubber, coatings, adhesives, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. For example, furan resins are commonly used in the manufacture of high-temperature resistant materials and anti-corrosion coatings due to their heat and chemical resistance properties. Furanic acid and furan alcohol are important pharmaceutical and pesticide intermediates, used in the synthesis of various drugs and agricultural chemicals.

Furfural production process

The production process of furfural mainly includes four steps: raw material pretreatment, acid catalytic hydrolysis, furfural extraction and purification. Raw material pretreatment is to crush plant waste to an appropriate particle size to increase the contact area with acid. Next, acid-catalyzed hydrolysis is performed to dehydrate the five-carbon sugars to produce furfural. The hydrolyzed mixture was extracted furfural by distillation and condensation, and then refined to improve product purity. In order to improve production efficiency and product quality, modern processes also use continuous and automated technologies to reduce energy consumption and waste emissions in the production process.

Furfural storage method

Furfural is an easily oxidized compound, so its storage requires special attention. Furfural should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment to prevent its oxidation and deterioration. Furfural should be stored in corrosion-resistant containers, usually glass bottles or metal containers lined with corrosion-resistant coatings. In order to prevent leakage and contamination, the container must be well sealed to prevent air and moisture from entering. The storage area should be kept away from fire and heat sources and equipped with appropriate fire protection equipment and ventilation facilities. During the operation, the staff should wear protective equipment to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes, and operate in a well-ventilated environment.

Furfural's environmental and safety implications

The production and use of furfural will have a certain environmental impact. The waste liquid and waste gas discharged during the production process contain acidic substances and organic solvents. If they are discharged directly without treatment, they will pollute the water body and the atmosphere. Therefore, furfural production enterprises must be equipped with wastewater and waste gas treatment facilities to ensure that the discharge standards. Wastes in the use process, such as waste solvents and waste resins, also need to be properly treated and recycled to reduce environmental pollution.

In terms of safety, furfural has certain toxicity, inhalation, ingestion or skin contact may cause health problems. Inhalation of high concentrations of furfural vapor can cause respiratory irritation, and chronic toxicity may result from prolonged exposure. Therefore, in the process of production and use, it is necessary to strictly abide by the safety operation procedures, be equipped with necessary protective equipment, and conduct occupational health inspections regularly.

Furfural Market Prospects

With the development of green chemical industry and the utilization of renewable resources, furfural, as a renewable biomass chemical product, has a broad market prospect. With the global emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development, furfural produced from agricultural waste will have a greater market demand in the future. With technological progress and process improvement, the production cost of furfural will be gradually reduced, further enhancing its market competitiveness. Especially in the fields of plastics, coatings and adhesives, furfural-based products are expected to replace traditional petrochemical products and promote the green transformation of the chemical industry.

Conclusion

As an important organic chemical raw material, furfural has unique chemical properties and broad application prospects. Its production relies on renewable agricultural waste, in line with the development trend of green chemical industry. Under the premise of ensuring environmental protection and safe production, the market potential of furfural is huge and will play an important role in many fields. With the progress of science and technology and the increase of market demand, furfural industry will usher in a brighter future.