Sodium Diformate Production and Use

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing and using a solid sodium diformate having a high formic acid content, to the use thereof in animal foods in the form of an acidifier, preservatives, ensilage auxiliary agents, fertilizers, and a growth and productivity-stimulating agent and the inventive animal food additives containing sodium diformate.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A sodium diformate in dry solid form comprising a formic acid content of at least 38% by weight, based on the total weight of sodium diformate. 
     
     
         22 . The sodium diformate of  claim 21  comprising a formic acid content in the range of from 38 to 41% by weight, based on the total weight of sodium diformate. 
     
     
         23 . The sodium diformate of  claim 21  comprising a water content not greater than 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of sodium diformate. 
     
     
         24 . The sodium diformate of  claim 21 , wherein said sodium diformate exhibits diffraction reflections in an x-ray powder diffractogram of at least at 6 of the following lattice separations d: 8.99; 7.40; 6.69; 5.12; 4.37; 3.83; 3.40; 3.10; 2.98; 2.94; 2.90 [Å] (±0.04 [Å]). 
     
     
         25 . The sodium diformate of  claim 21 , wherein said sodium diformate has a phase transition point at a temperature of 65° C., as determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry. 
     
     
         26 . A method for producing the sodium diformate of  claim 21 , comprising (1) producing, at elevated temperature, from sodium formate and aqueous or concentrated formic acid having a formic acid content of at least 74% by weight, a homogeneous mixture having a molar ratio of HCOOH to Na[HCOO] of greater than 1.5:1 and a molar ratio of formic acid to water of at least 1.1:1, (2) bringing the mixture to crystallization, and (3) separating off the resultant solid phase from the mother liquor. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said mixture is brought to crystallization by cooling. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said mother liquor is removed to the extent that said solid phase which is separated off has a water content in the range of from 2 to 0.2% by weight, based on the total weight of said solid phase which is separated off. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said mother liquor is removed to the extent that said solid phase which is separated off has a formic acid content in the range of from 40.5 to 43.5% by weight, based on the total weight of said solid phase which is separated off. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said solid phase which is separated off from said mother liquor is dried at a product temperature of no more than 60° C. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said drying proceeds by means of contact drying at a wall temperature of no more than 100° C. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein vapors are removed by a stripping gas stream during the drying. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said drying proceeds by means of convective drying at a carrier gas inlet temperature of no more than 100° C. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said drying proceeds at a pressure of no more than 10 5  Pa. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the solid phase is agitated mechanically during the drying. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said drying is carried out over such a period that the resultant solid sodium diformate has a water content of no more than 0.15% by weight, based on the total weight of sodium diformate. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said drying is carried out over a period of not greater than 120 min. 
     
     
         38 . An animal feed comprising the sodium diformate of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         39 . The animal feed of  claim 38 , wherein said animal feed is monogastric feed. 
     
     
         40 . A solid feedstuff additive comprising the sodium diformate of  claim 21  and which is essentially free of potassium ions.