substance

Formaldehyde

Formula: CH2O
CAS: 50-00-0
InChIKey: WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
ChEBI: CHEBI:16842

Show in the process graph →

Made by

Formaldehyde by methanol oxidation over iron molybdate (Formox type, 20 t/h formalin 50 wt%)Main productConcept · not reviewed

Used by

No process in the Atlas uses this yet.

When a process with this chemical is added to the library, it appears here.

Takes part in

2CH₂O+O₂gives2CO+2H₂OReactant · one process
2CH₄O+O₂gives2CH₂O+2H₂OProduct · one process
CH₂O+O₂givesCO₂+H₂OReactant · one process

Routes compared

One route in the Atlas makes Formaldehyde: nothing to compare yet. A comparison appears when a second route is added.

Per 1 kg of Formaldehyde: inventory from each route's LCI dataset, unallocated; footprints per the functional unit of their own LCA.

Route	Tier, design maturity, review status	Geography, year	Energy	Feedstocks	Key emissions	Footprint	Comparability
Formaldehyde by methanol oxidation over iron molybdate (Formox type, 20 t/h formalin 50 wt%)metal oxide (iron molybdate) methanol oxidation, off-gas recycle, absorption to 50 wt% formalin, catalytic oxidiser with steam recovery; 20 t/h formalin	flowsheet or hand-writtenDesign maturity: Concept (research)Not independently reviewedDataset review: unreviewed	RER, 2026	Electric power: 0.0845 kWh	Ambient air (humid): 1.75 kg (free) Methanol from storage (boundary feed; made by processes/methanol-1): 0.574 kg Process water (demineralised) to the absorber: 0.186 kg Iron molybdate reactor catalyst (R-101): 0.00003 kg Noble-metal ECS catalyst (R-301): 0.0000075 kg Oil and filters (heat-transfer oil top-up, lubricants, gas and product filters): 0.00003 kg	CH3OH to the environment: 0.00000604 kg CO to the environment: 0.0000569 kg CO2 to the environment: 0.0512 kg DME to the environment: 0.000023 kg HCHO to the environment: 0.00000181 kg NOX to the environment (estimated): 0.000012 kg	0.0512 kg CO2-eq0.0465 to 0.056 (95 %)Climate change per 1 kg formaldehyde	–

ISO 14044 requires a critical review (by a panel of interested parties, ISO/TS 14071) of a comparative assertion intended to be disclosed to the public. These routes are listed side by side for screening; a statement that one is better than another needs that review. None of these routes has had such a review.