Basf Aktiengesellschaft

Heinrich Sperber

Hans Diem

Gunter Lehmann

Guenther Matthias

Christian Dudeck

Albrecht Aicher

Hans Haas

Wolfgang Muehlthaler

Guenter Halbritter

Formaldehyde is prepared by oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol in the presence of a silver catalyst, specific amounts of steam and specific amounts of an off-gas, of a specific composition, taken from the manufacture of formaldehyde. The reaction is started at a lower throughput of methanol and at a lower temperature. The formaldehyde obtainable by the process is a disinfectant, tanning agent and reducing agent, and a starting material for the manufacture of synthetic resins, adhesives and plastics.

Manufacture of formaldehyde

The production of formaldehyde by oxidizing dehydrogenation of methanol in the presence of a silver catalyst which consists of three or more layers each of specific weight and particles of specific particle size and having a specific total layer thickness. Formaldehyde prepared according to the process of the invention is a disinfectant, tanning agent, reducing agent and valuable starting material for the production of synthetic resins, adhesives and plastics.

Production of formaldehyde

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Ludwigshafen, Germany

Heinrich Sperber