Process for preparing formic acid

US8889905B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Peter Bassler · Viernheim, DE
• Stefan Rittinger · Mannheim, DE
• Daniel Schneider · Mannheim, DE
• Donata Maria Fries · Mannheim, DE
• Klaus-Dieter Mohl · Hockenheim, DE
• Joaquim Henrique Teles · Waldsee, DE
• Martin Schäfer · Arnstadt, DE
• Jürgen Paschold · Hochspeyer, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2012
• Grant date: Nov 18, 2014
• Expiry date: Feb 12, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C51/44
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Process for obtaining formic acid by thermal separation of a stream comprising formic acid and a tertiary amine (I), in which a liquid stream comprising formic acid and tertiary amine (I) is produced by combining tertiary amine (I) and a formic acid source, secondary components comprised therein are separated off, formic acid is removed by distillation from the resulting liquid stream in a distillation apparatus, where the bottom output from the distillation apparatus is separated into two liquid phases, and the upper liquid phase is recirculated to the formic acid source and the lower liquid phase is recirculated to the separation of the secondary components and/or to the distillation apparatus, wherein low boilers are removed by distillation from the upper liquid phase and recirculated to the depleted stream.