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Formic Acid is available in the following concentrations:
Introduction
With a dedicated capacity of 400 million pounds per year, BASF is
the world's largest producer of formic acid. From our production facility
in Germany, we are able to supply our customers reliably and consistently
throughout the world at all times. Since our production facility produces
only formic acid, we have absolute control over production rates and
can respond immediately to the needs of the market.
Worldwide
Applications
From the traditional pickling of leather to highly advanced pharmaceutical
syntheses, BASF formic acid is indispensable in numerous applications.
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Chemical Intermediate
Formic acid is an intermediate in the production of various chemicals
and pharmaceuticals such as caffeine, enzymes, antibiotics, artificial
sweeteners, plant protection agents, PVC-plasticizers and rubber antioxidants. |
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Dyeing/Pickling
In the dyeing of natural and synthetic fibers, formic acid regulates
the pH and is also used to help waterproof textiles. In the leather
industry, formic acid is used in the dyeing process, for pickling,
deliming and as an auxiliary in the tanning process. |
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Silage
Formic acid is used in the preservation of green feed/fodder. |
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Cleaning/Disinfection
Formic acid is used as an active ingredient in commercial cleaning
products such as descalers, rust removers, multipurpose cleaners,
degreasers and institutional laundry products. In addition, formic
acid is used in the disinfection of wood barrels for wine and beer
due to its bactericidal properties. |
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Flue Gas Desulfurization
An application for formic acid is pH regulation in the Saarberg-Hoelter-Umwelttechnik
(SHU) flue gas desulfurization process. Most fossil fuels contain
sulfur, which release sulfur dioxide into the air when burned. The
SHU process captures this sulfur dioxide by passing the flue gas through
an aqueous limestone slurry containing formic acid. The sulfur dioxide
reacts with the limestone to form gypsum (calcium sulfate). |
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Coagulation of Rubber
One of the traditional uses of formic acid is in the coagulation of
natural rubber, which is primarily produced in southeast Asia. Latex
milk is tapped from rubber trees and is mixed with formic acid to
produce the coagulated rubber that is further processed into tires
and numerous other rubber products. |
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| Formic
Acid Physical Properties |
| Assay |
85% |
|
90% |
|
94% |
99% |
| Explosion Limits: |
| Lower Vol% |
14.9 |
|
14.5 |
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13.9 |
12 |
| Upper Vol% |
47.6 |
|
43.4 |
|
38.1 |
38 |
| Ignition Temperature (°C) |
500 |
|
503 |
|
505 |
480 |
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| Specific
Heat Capacity (function of temperature at constant pressure)
|
| T (°C) |
|
Cp (J/(g K)) |
|
State |
| 20 |
|
2.169 |
|
liquid |
| 50 |
|
2.202 |
|
liquid |
| 100 |
|
2.282 |
|
liquid |
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| Graphs Below Represent
Other Properties of Formic Acid |
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