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Product Handling Guide-Formaldehyde
Product Handling Guide-Formaldehyde
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Formaldehyde, Solutions
CAS # 50-00-0
Aqueous Formaldehyde solutions quickly resulting in rapid evolution of • DOT 111A100W3 Lined,
are clear, colorless liquids with heat, e.g. when mixed with hot Insulated Tank Cars
pungent, irritating odors. They are caustic solutions or when exposed to • DOT MC 307 or DOT 407
stabilize solutions of water and an ignition source. Insulated Tank Trucks
Formaldehyde. Methanol is often
added to stabilize these solutions. Formaldehyde is available from
Under certain conditions, Celanese Chemicals in the following
Formaldehyde solutions may react packages:
Handling • Thoroughly review Material • Protect small containers from • Use spark-resistant tools.
Safety Data Sheet before handling physical damage. • Electrical equipment and
product. • Use proper electrical grounding circuits in all storage and
• Keep containers closed when not and bonding procedures when handling areas must conform to
in use. loading, unloading, and requirements of national
• Open containers slowly to allow transferring.1 electrical code (Articles 500 and
any excess pressure to vent. • Refer to the Celanese Chemicals 501) for hazardous location.
• Keep away from heat, sparks, Material Safety Data Sheet for
flame , or other sources of ignition. more information on materials
to avoid.
See the National Fire Protection information and refer to the Information, please contact the
Agency (NFPA) #30 “Flammable and Celanese Chemicals Product Formaldehyde Institute in
Combustible Liquids Code” and Descriptions for additional physical Washington, D.C. at (202) 659-0060.
consult with qualified fire protection properties and general product 1. Refer to NFPA #77 “Static
specialists to determine specific information. Material Safety Data Electricity” for proper electrical
storage tank design requirements. Sheet and Product Descriptions for grounding procedures.
Refer to the Celanese Chemicals Formaldehyde are available through 2. See the National Fire Protection
Material Safety Data Sheet for more your Celanese Chemicals sales Agency (NFPA) #30 “Flammable and
Combustible Liquids Code” and
specific health and environmental representative. For additional
consult with qualified fire protection
specialists to determine specific
storage tank design requirements.
PRODUCT HANDLING GUIDE
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Formaldehyde, Solutions
Steel Tank Cleaning the heat generated may cause the different, it is incumbent on each
Recommendation for Paraformal- formaldehyde and methanol vapors user to perform a complete safety
dehyde Deposits to be in the flammable region. If audit before using this procedure
vessel entry is necessary, be sure to
This procedure involves the use of wear proper protective equipment
hazardous materials and must be and follow safe entry procedures.
strictly controlled to avoid a highly Since every set of conditions and
exothermic reaction. In addition, equipment configurations are
Procedure 1. Empty the tank of as much may put the resultant formalde- Heat of reaction is approximately
formaldehyde solution as possible hyde and methanol solution above 910 BTUs/lb of NaOH consumed.
and inspect for paraformaldehyde its flash point. Agitate and Pump in the NaOH solution and
(paraform) build-up. recirculate as best as possible for recirculate for 24 hours or until the
2. Large deposits of paraform can be 24 hours. Pump out as much of NaOH concentration stops
broken up by hydroblasting and the solution as possible. If para - decreasing.
removed by vacuum equipment. form remains, continue with the
(c) Drain all lines and pump all
The remaining residues and caustic washing procedure in step
cleaning solution from the tank to a
paraform powder on the walls and (b). If no paraform remains, skip
container for disposal.
lines can then be removed by to step (c).
(d) The cleaning solution must be
following the cleaning procedure (b) In a separate vessel prepare a
completely removed from the
outlined below. 2 → 4 wt % NaOH solution suf-
system by water washing. All
3. Relatively small amounts of ficient to cover the paraform
lines, walls, pumps, filters, etc.
paraform and residues from deposits and to circulate through
must be rinsed until the effluent
hydroblasting can be removed by the lines to be cleaned. Do not
water is less than 0.01% NaOH by
first washing with hot water exceed 4% NaOH by weight
analysis.
followed by dissolving in a 2 → 4 and make sure the solution
temperatures are below 49o C (e) Drain all remaining water as
weight percent caustic (sodium
(120o F) before pumping into the completely as possible.
hydroxide) solution if necessary.
tank and lines to be cleaned. (f) Before refilling the tank with
(a) Add sufficient water to cover
There is an exothermic reaction high concentration HCHO
all the paraform deposits and to
between formaldehyde and solutions (e.g. 50% aqueous
recirculate through all the lines to
sodium hydroxide, which can be HCHO), the tank should be
be cleaned. Heat to 70o C (158o F)
violent at higher temperatures and preheated to a skin temperature of
maximum. Higher temperatures
NaOH concentrations: 38o C (100o F) to prevent
2 HCHO + NaOH → HCOONa + CH3OH paraformaldehyde formation on
(Cannizaro Reaction) contact with the cold surfaces.
Temperature Each grade of formaldehyde has an with the methanol concentration, Celanese recommends controlling
optimum temperature range at which even if the amount of formaldehyde the storage temperature at 5o F →
it should be stored and handled. in the solution remains constant. 10o F above the specified minimum
Desirable storage temperatures vary The data given below is designed to storage temperature. This will
with formaldehyde concentration. assist in determining the correct minimize Paraformaldehyde
When methanol is present, the storage temperature for the formation while keeping acidity low.
preferred storage temperature varies particular grade of formaldehyde.
(Refer to Figure 1)
PRODUCT HANDLING GUIDE
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Formaldehyde, Solutions
Low When formaldehyde solutions are Cloudiness or a light sediment may concentration; over a long period of
Temperature stored at too low a temperature, solid result. Paraformation, as this storage; and at too low or too high
polymers similar to chemical process is called, is more pH.
Paraformaldehyde will form. likely to occur at high formaldehyde
High High storage temperatures accelerate acid forms. Small amounts of the formation of formic acid and
the development of formic acid in methylal, a colorless compound, may these metals should be kept out of
Temperature
formaldehyde solutions. Some also result. At higher temperature, contact with the solutions.
formaldehyde strength is lost as the traces of iron and copper accelerate
PRODUCT HANDLING GUIDE
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Formaldehyde, Solutions
Materials of Construction for Storage and Transportation
1. Type 316 Stainless Steel. 3. Lining refers to a high baked 5. Ethylene – propylene – diene –
2. Type 304 Stainless Steel. (Not phenolic. monomer – (peroxide cured grade).
recommended for service in excess 4. Polytetrafluoroethylene. 6. May be used if the temperature
of 150oF (66oC) or where piping is does not exceed 140oF (60oC)
heat traced.)