[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature and use of formaldehyde, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, the characteristics of formaldehyde and its release law.

Formaldehyde Properties

Formaldehyde (chemical formula CH2O) is a colorless gas with a strong pungent odor. It is the simplest aldehyde compound with a molecular weight of 30.03g/mol. Formaldehyde is gaseous at room temperature, but can become liquid by compression and cooling. Its boiling point is -19 ° C, melting point is -92 ° C, the solubility in water is very high, can be mixed with water to form formaldehyde aqueous solution (formalin). Formaldehyde has strong oxidation and reduction, and can react with a variety of organic and inorganic substances.

Formaldehyde use

Formaldehyde is widely used in many fields, the main use is as industrial raw materials. It is an important monomer for synthetic resins (such as urea-formaldehyde resin, phenolic resin and melamine resin), which play a key role in the production of plywood, particleboard, fiberboard and other man-made boards. Formaldehyde is also used in the production of a variety of chemical products, such as plastics, coatings, textile treatments, preservatives and disinfectants. In the medical field, aqueous formaldehyde solutions are used for specimen preservation and tissue fixation. Due to its strong antibacterial properties, formaldehyde is also used as a bactericide and preservative.

Upstream raw materials

The production of formaldehyde is mainly dependent on methanol and oxygen. Methanol is the direct precursor of formaldehyde and is produced by the gas phase catalytic oxidation of methanol. In industry, a silver catalyst or an iron molybdenum oxide catalyst is often used to react methanol with oxygen at a high temperature of 250-400°C to generate formaldehyde and water. The reaction equation for this process is: [2 CH 3OH + O 2 \rightarrow 2 CH 2O +2 H 2O] Therefore, the supply and price of methanol and oxygen directly affect the production cost and market price of formaldehyde.

Downstream Products

The downstream products of formaldehyde mainly include various resins, adhesives, coatings and pharmaceutical products. Urea-formaldehyde resins and phenolic resins are widely used in the manufacture of man-made panels. These resins provide excellent adhesive properties and mechanical strength. Formaldehyde is also a key raw material for the production of a variety of plastics (such as polyoxymethylene), coatings and textile treatments. Formaldehyde-based disinfectants and antiseptics are widely used in medical and industrial fields due to their potent antibacterial properties.

Formaldehyde storage method

Formaldehyde is gaseous at room temperature, and its liquid storage usually uses 40% formaldehyde aqueous solution, namely formalin. Storage should choose corrosion-resistant, good sealing containers, such as stainless steel or special plastic containers, to prevent leakage and volatilization. The storage environment should be kept cool and ventilated, away from fire and high temperature areas to avoid the decomposition of formaldehyde and the risk of explosion. Formalin solution is irritating and toxic, so care should be taken during storage and use to avoid skin contact and inhalation of vapors.

Environmental Protection and Safety

Formaldehyde has certain toxicity and carcinogenicity, which is a potential threat to the environment and human health. In the process of industrial production and application, it is very important to strictly control the emission of formaldehyde. Advanced waste gas treatment technologies, such as adsorption, washing and catalytic decomposition, should be adopted to reduce formaldehyde emissions. Workers who produce and use formaldehyde should be equipped with personal protective equipment to ensure that the working environment is well ventilated and to reduce the health hazards of formaldehyde.

market and prospect

Formaldehyde as a basic chemical raw material, the market demand is large and widely used. With the rapid development of industries such as construction, furniture, automobiles and electronics, the demand for formaldehyde and its derivatives is also increasing. In the future, with the increasingly stringent environmental regulations and people's attention to health, the development of low-formaldehyde and formaldehyde-free products will become an important direction for the development of the industry. The research of new catalyst and production process will further improve the efficiency and environmental protection of formaldehyde production.

Summary

As an important chemical raw material, formaldehyde has a wide range of applications and market demand. Understanding its nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials and storage methods is of great significance to enterprises and practitioners in the production and application of formaldehyde. In the future, with the improvement of technological progress and environmental protection requirements, the formaldehyde industry will usher in new development opportunities and challenges. Through continuous innovation and process improvement, it can not only meet the market demand, but also reduce the environmental impact and achieve sustainable development.