Overview of formic acid

Formic acid is the simplest member of carboxylic acid family and is also known as
methanoic acid. Its chemical formula is HCOOH or CH 2O2. The physical properties are
colourless liquid with a pungent, penetrating odour and often used in an aqueous solution.
There are several methods for manufacturing formic acid. Most common route used is
synthesis of formic acid by hydrolysis of methyl formate.

In nature, it is most commonly found in the bites and stings of insects, namely ants
and bees. It is this compound that causes most of the irritation that occurs immediately
following an ant bite or a bee sting.

Formic acid commercially used in various scope in industries such as textile dyeing,
pharmaceuticals, rubber intermediate and leather industry. For example, formic acid used as
leather depilation, ash removal, expansion and soft agent. Formic acid instead of sulfuric acid
used for dyeing and disinfection, to prevent damp leather mildew.

Availability of labour

Labour is necessary from the construction phase of the plant to the production phase.
The location of the plant is near to residential area so easy to get unskilled labourers. Usually
the skilled labourers are picked up from outside the site area. So, the plant close to centres of
population large enough to supply the workforce required for the plant to operate.

Availability of utilities: water, fuel, power

In industry, usually chemical process invariably required large quantities of water for
cooling aid and also for emergency requirements of the plant. It is necessary for a plant to be
located near to source of water with suitable quality for daily usage. Besides that, cooling
water also can be taken from a river or lake, or even from the sea.

At Kuantan, local Authorities that responsible to supply water is Pengurusan Air

Pahang Berhad (PAIP). Table below shows the water tariff provided by Pengurusan Air
Pahang Berhad (PAIP) as a guideline.
Table 1: Water tariff provided by Pengurusan Air Pahang Berhad (PAIP) as a guideline.

Besides that, power supply also should be undistributed. All petrochemical plants and the
equipment require power supply that commonly used for:

Lighting
Office equipment
Computers (control room)
Ventilation (air-conditioner)
Cooling
Figure 2: Current rate for electricity for industrial tariff

Other utilities can be accessed approximately 10-15 minutes by car is fuel station.
Therefore, it is easier for transportation.

- Place near to residential area. Connected by road, possible for public

transportation

Availability of suitable land

From the Google map, the distance between Eastman Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd and
Kuantan Port is about 12 KM and 15 minutes time for travel. So, we decided to build a plant
to produce formic acid in between these two location because it is ideally flat, well drained
and have suitable loading characteristics. The land location also suitable to be modified for
future expansion. The land is located in chemical industrial in Kuantan, Pahang. The area has
complete infrastructure such as road, lighting, fuel station and school. Besides that, as the
plant near to Kuantan Port, the product of formic acid could be exported to bigger consumer
of formic acid such as China.
 Figure 3: Distance between plant and Kuantan Port

- Soil particles can adsorb metal or organic contaminants

- This is enhanced by the presence of organic matter or clay content in soils

Environmental effect and effluent disposal

There are four main options for the disposal of effluent. First, waste is released into
the environment but is treated or contained to reduce the environmental impact. For example,
solids may be contained by encapsulation, and liquid waste may be diluted to levels that are
not environmentally damaging before release into the environment. There are now strict
controls on such releases of waste.

Second, using recovery recycling so that waste is recovered and recycled back into the
process. Third, waste also can be reused in some other way (for example, sold to other
industries). Lastly, strategies are used that reduce the production of waste during the process.
Examples of these strategies include the choice of reactions with high atom economy, use of
green solvents such as supercritical CO2, increased reclaiming of catalysts by using new
zeolite-based processes, and so on.
Climate

Corrosion and protective reduced

Malaysia has tropical rainforest climate pattern. Kuantan is located in east coast Malaysia.
The average annual maximum temperature is 31.8 oC while the minimum temperature is
22.2oC in Kuantan.

Figure 4: The annual average minimum and maximum temperature in Kuantan.

Figure 5: The annual average rainy days in Kuantan.

The graph above shows the annual average rainy days in Kuantan, Pahang. January, October,
November and December has average rainy days more than 15 days per month.

As conclusion, the site location is suitable for formic acid plant because the climate
condition is normal. The temperature and humidity is normal throughout the month so no
need equipment maintenance for change of climates.

Health Hazard Information

Potential Acute Health Effects:

Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant, corrosive), of
ingestion, Hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive, permeator). Slightly hazardous in
case of inhalation (lung sensitizer). Non-corrosive for lungs. Liquid or spray mist may
produce tissue damage particularly on mucous membranes of eyes, mouth and respiratory
tract. Skin contact may produce burns. Inhalation of the spray mist may produce severe
irritation of respiratory tract, characterized by coughing, choking, or shortness of breath.
Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation
is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally, blistering.

Potential Chronic Health Effects:

Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer). CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not

available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells. [Formic acid].
Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. [Formic acid]. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not
available. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance may be toxic to
kidneys, liver, upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes, central nervous system (CNS). Repeated or
prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. Repeated or
prolonged contact with spray mist may produce chronic eye irritation and severe skin
irritation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to spray mist may produce respiratory tract
irritation leading to frequent attacks of bronchial infection.

Description of first aid measures

Eye Contact:

Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with
plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention
immediately.

Skin Contact:

In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while
removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Cold
water may be used. Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse. Get
medical attention immediately.

Serious Skin Contact:

Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with an anti-bacterial cream.
Seek immediate medical attention.

Inhalation:

If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is
difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention immediately.

Serious Inhalation:

Evacuate the victim to a safe area as soon as possible. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar,
tie, belt or waistband. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If the victim is not
breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. WARNING: It may be hazardous to the
person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when the inhaled material is toxic,
infectious or corrosive. Seek medical attention.

Ingestion:

Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything
by mouth to an unconscious person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a
physician immediately. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.

Protection of first-aiders

Use personal protective equipment.