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CAS64-18-6
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Structural formula
CH₂O₂
Remove formic acid from the exhaust air
What is formic acid?
Formic acid, also known as methanoic acid, is a colourless liquid with a pungent odour and the chemical formula CH₂O₂. It belongs to the group of carboxylic acids and is the simplest and smallest of this group. Formic acid occurs naturally in ants and nettles and is used industrially in the textile, leather and agricultural industries. Its ability to dissolve limescale and rust makes it a useful cleaning agent.
Creation
Formic acid is produced industrially by the oxidation of methanol or by the hydrolysis process of methyl formate. In nature, it is found in ants and some plants. Industrially, it is used in the textile industry for dyeing and finishing textiles, in leather processing and in agriculture as a preservative for animal feed.
Recognition
Formic acid is a clear, colourless liquid with a strong, pungent odour that is reminiscent of vinegar at low concentrations and is perceived as acrid at higher concentrations. This acid is soluble in water and can irritate the skin and eyes. Inhaling the vapours can cause coughing, breathing difficulties and even dizziness in high doses.
Limit values
In Germany, the limit values for naphtha are regulated by the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA-Luft) and the occupational exposure limit values (OEL). The OEL for formic acid is 5 ppm (parts per million) or 9.4 mg/m³. These limit values are intended to ensure that the concentrations in the workplace do not cause any damage to health.
Hazards
Health: Formic acid can cause severe skin and eye irritation. When inhaled, the vapours can cause breathing difficulties, coughing and dizziness. Prolonged exposure can lead to severe burns and poisoning. Environment: Formic acid is biodegradable, but can pollute water and soil in high concentrations. It is toxic to aquatic organisms and can disturb the ecological balance. Economic damage: Due to its corrosive properties, improper handling of formic acid can lead to considerable material damage to machinery and equipment. Production losses and high clean-up costs are possible consequences.
The oxytec Purification Technology
For many organic pollutants, we offer energy-saving and clean technologies for neutralisation, which we combine in multi-stage plants. In order to achieve a reduction below the limit values, not only the dimensioning of the respective purification stage but also the sequence of the technologies is decisive, as they have different physical effects on the molecules. Below we present some of our purification modules.
CWA
Alternative technologies
In addition to our solutions, there are other technologies such as conventional activated carbon filters and simple ventilation systems. However, these often have disadvantages such as high energy consumption, limited cleaning performance, large space requirements, long lead times and high investment costs.
Advantages of the oxytec solution
- Compact design: Small footprint compared to traditional systems
- Low operating costs, therefore fast amortisation
- Environmentally friendly: Minimal environmental impact thanks to innovative technologies
- Efficient formic acid reduction: High efficiency thanks to high cleaning levels with minimal energy consumption
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