Patent ID: 6429333
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A method for preparing formic acid in which methyl formate is prepared with methanol as a reactant, methyl formate is hydrolyzed into formic acid and methanol, and formic acid obtained is seperated from methanol, characterized in that methyl formate obtained from methanol in a reaction (1) is fed through an ion exchange bed (5), in which the hydrolysis to formic acid and methanol and the separation of formic acid from the methanol take place simultaneously by means of the catalytic and absorbent properties of a solid ion exchange material in the ion exchange bed (5), when the reactant mixture containing water and methyl formate flows in one direction through the ion exchange bed and the hydrolysis of methyl formate and separation of formic acid from methanol take place by the effect of the same ion exchange material.