Inventors:
Theodore V. Ferris - Longmeadow MA
Richard C. Kmetz - Longmeadow MA
Assignee:
Monsanto Company - St. Louis MO
International Classification:
C07C 4529, C07C 4704
Abstract:
Formaldehyde manufacture by oxidative-dehydrogenation of methanol over a silver or copper catalyst. Aqueous formaldehyde solution is obtained from the reaction and is stripped of a mixture of methanol, formaldehyde and water by a low energy process at relatively low temperature and low reflux in a still comprising at least about 1. 5 theoretical plates, the stripping conditions being selected to allow substantial reduction of the methanol content of the aqueous formaldehyde solution and recycle of the methanol to the reactor.