Stabilized powdered formaldehyde

Abstract

According to an aspect of the invention, a polymerized form of formaldehyde is available in granular form containing a polymerized form of formaldehyde, such as paraformaldehyde, a buffer, such as sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, and a stabilizer, such as hydroxymethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. When added to an aqueous solvent, the paraformaldehyde can dissolve in alkaline solution, and depolymerizes into a formaldehyde solution containing a stabilizer. Optionally a second member of the buffer pair or another buffer or pH adjuster can be used The stabilized depolymerized formaldehyde solution is then ready for use, or can be modified by addition of other substances, such as sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate. Additionally, an additional buffer may be included in the granular mixture to increase the rate at which the solid dissolves and depolymerizes.

1 . An aldehyde solution, comprising:
 (a) a depolymerized aldehyde;   (b) a stabilizer; and   (c) an aqueous solvent.   
     
     
         2 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the depolymerized aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and butyraldehyde. 
     
     
         3 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the depolymerized aldehyde is formaldehyde. 
     
     
         4 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, alginate, hyaluronate, gelatin, pectin, carrageenan, fatty acid ethers, hydrazine hydrate, hydroxylurea, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, urea, melamine, and hydrogen sulfide. 
     
     
         5 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. 
     
     
         6 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is hydroxymethyl cellulose. 
     
     
         7 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is carboxymethyl cellulose. 
     
     
         8 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solvent is water. 
     
     
         9 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solvent is an aqueous buffer. 
     
     
         10 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solvent is an aqueous buffer comprising a buffer selected from the group consisting of sodium phosphate dibasic, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, poassium phosphate monobasic, tris(hydroxymethyl aminomethane) hydrochloride, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. 
     
     
         11 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solvent is an aqueous buffer comprising sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate. 
     
     
         12 . The solution of  claim 1  further comprising sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         13 . The solution of  claim 1  further comprising an osmotic agent selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, mannitol, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride.