Heat transfer fluids – Formaldehyde Manufacturing Applications

Manufacturing formaldehyde requires the use of a liquid phase heat transfer fluid and/or vapor phase heat transfer fluid to remove heat and control the temperature of the catalyst bed in the exothermic reaction step. Both the yield and selectivity of the manufacturing process is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations. A heat transfer fluid with good thermal stability and that can be successfully operated in both a liquid and vapor phase is particularly well suited for use in the formaldehyde manufacturing process.

Therminol VP-1 is an excellent liquid and/or vapor phase heat transfer fluid for use in the formaldehyde manufacturing process. Therminol VP-1 has high thermal stability at operating temperatures up to 400° C (750° F), and can be operated in a vapor state or in a pressurized liquid state. In the typical formaldehyde manufacturing process, Therminol VP-1 is used as a liquid phase heat transfer fluid for system start-up and then operates as a boiling-condensing vapor phase heat transfer fluid medium for cooling and controlling the temperature of the catalyst bed. Formaldehyde manufacturers around the world have used Therminol VP-1 for many years with excellent results.