Production technology of methyl formate and formamide:

There are two main synthesis methods of methyl formate in the industry: methanol carbonylation and methanol dehydrogenation. Most large-scale production plants abroad use methanol carbonylation to produce methyl formate. Methanol dehydrogenation method is widely used in China:

The technology takes methanol as raw material, and methyl formate is generated after methanol dehydrogenation, and hydrogen is by-product. After rectification and separation, methyl formate containing 80% can be obtained. Methyl formate reacts with ammonia to produce formamide and methanol as a by-product. Formamide can be obtained through dealcoholization and rectification.

The main reactions are as follows:

The single pass conversion of methanol in this process is 30-40%, and the selectivity of methyl formate is 90%. The reaction is generally carried out under normal pressure and temperature of 180~250 ℃. Compared with the carbonylation method, the methanol dehydrogenation method has the advantages of single raw materials, low equipment investment, short process flow, convenient operation, non corrosion, hydrogen by-product, etc., which is particularly suitable for small-scale production.

Most large-scale production plants abroad use methanol carbonylation to produce formate esters. The reaction is as follows:

Technically and economically, methanol carbonylation is Economic. However, its unit investment is large, and only its raw material CO production purification requires a large investment, which is suitable for the production of large-scale units.

Our company mainly uses methanol dehydrogenation method to produce methyl formate with convenient raw material sources and small investment. This method is characterized by low construction investment, convenient raw material sources, simple equipment manufacturing, and short construction period. It is especially suitable for medium and small scale units. The by-product hydrogen can be purified and used as the raw material of hydrogenation products or as the fuel of heat transfer oil boiler.

Technical features:

The production technology is mature and the operation is safe and reliable.

The process flow is simple and the investment is low.

The operation control is reliable and practical, with a high degree of automation.

Low operation cost and short payback period.

Some application achievements:

* Construction unit scale

1 Chongqing Wanlilai Co., Ltd. 3000 tons/year

2 Hebei Yifeng New Energy Co., Ltd. 5000 tons/year