Study And Application On The Circular Economy Model Of Formic Acid Industry

Formic acid industry is one kind of chemical industry. As an important basic organic chemical, formic acid is widely used in chemical, light, medicine, leather, rubber industry and other fields, and it has broad market prospects. The production of formic acid needs a large quantity of carbon monoxide and steam. Coal is the main fuel in production of formic acid and its resource is limited. Therefore, China is striving to build itself into a resource-saving and environment-exellent society. In order to utilize coal effectively, buid positive cycle of material, water resources and energy sources, and achieve "zero discharge" of sewage of formic acid industry, it is important theoreticaly and practically to research and establish the circular economy model of formic acid industry on proper utiliazation of the coal resource.In this paper, based on the analysis of present domestic and foreign, the circular economy model of chemical industry were studyed. An ideal circular economy model of formic acid industry containing formic acid plant, fertilizer plant and IGCC was studied and established. The index system of circular economy for formic acid industry was constructed according to the circular economy theory. Integration of material, water resources and energy in formic acid industry were analyzed. The forecast model of water demand and energy demand for formic acid industry were established. Based on the circular economy model of formic acid industry, ecomomic efficiency, environmental benefit and social benefit were synthetically evaluated by the economic and environmental benefit analysis models.The largest formic acid factory in Asia—Shandong Acid Chemicals Company (SACC) was taken as an example in this paper. The present situation, advantage and disadvantage of circular economy development were analyzed. The level of circular economy development was evaluated There were eight production chains founded in the company. The first chain was that coal gas was made to methanol, synthetic ammonia and urea. The second was that carbon monoxide and methanol were used to produce methyl formate and formic acid, which could be hydrolyzed by methyl formate. The third was that formic acid was made to formic acid derivatives such as calcium formiate, potassium formiate, ammonium formiate and sodium formiate. The fourth was that methanol and synthetic ammonia were used to produce methylamine. The fifth was that methylamine and the methyl formate were produced dimethyl formamide. The sixth was that methyl-carbonate and urethylan were synthesized from urea and methanol. The seventh was that synthetic ammonia and methyl formate were used to produce formamide. The eighth was that SO₂ was absorbed with ammonia to produce ammonium sulfite, and then oxidized to ammonium sulfate. The total water demand was caculated by the industrial water increasing coefficient forcast model. Water resources utilization plan was proposed from reduce, reuse and recycle aspects, respectively, to realize the goal of water resources comprehensive utilization and waste-water "zero discharged" in the company. The energy demand was estimated by elastical coefficient model. The energy recycle utilization plan was established by using advanced coal gasification technology or IGCC technology, exploring for new energy and reusing of steam. Based on the above circular economy model for formic acid industry, the economic, environmental and social benefit of SACC were analyzed.