The issue of production temperature for formaldehyde
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The natural ignition point of methanol is 470 degrees, but the temperature required for the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde is 630 degrees; when observed through a sight glass, the surface layer appears bright red in color. Why doesn’t it catch fire at such a high temperature? Is it because there’s an excess of methanol? Although the temperature is high, combustion requires an oxidizing agent, and there’s nothing that can act as an oxidizer in this case. Don’t you all think so?
The three conditions for combustion are fuel, an ignition retardant, and a ignition point.
Combustion requires three conditions to occur simultaneously: 1) the presence of a combustible material, 2) the presence of an oxidizer, and 3) a source of ignition
Since the ratio of methanol gas to air is under control and remains outside the explosive range, and the flow rate is designed such that the reaction takes place solely on the catalyst bed, an explosion will occur if this ratio changes and enters the explosive range. Additionally, insufficient flow rate can cause combustion to spread upstream from the catalyst bed. Do not look through the reactor’s glass window unless necessary, as this could lead to an explosion in case of an accident.
It is necessary to understand the relationship between the flame propagation speed and the air flow velocity inside the oxidizer; combustion definitely occurs.