Technological Benefits
SoftAcid® has been found to be significantly less corrosive to carbon steel and other metals than formic acid. SoftAcid also reduces the evaporation of organic acids, which leads to an increased efficiency over time.
Reduction in corrosivity
SoftAcid has been found to be significantly less corrosive to carbon steel and other metals than formic acid (see Figure 1). This is because the aggressive nature of organic acids is reduced by the presence of lignosulfonic acid.
The high molecular weight lignosulfonic acid will create a protective film on all surfaces and prevent the small molecules of the acids from penetrating.
Experiments at Sintef Materials Technology showed that the corrosion rate of SoftAcid on carbon steel was reduced by more than 95% compared to pure formic acid. Additional trials have shown a 75% reduction in corrosion rate on concrete.
Figure 1 - Corrosion on carbon steel
Reduction in odour/evaporation
A significant portion of the organic acids (15 to 20%) used in feed, grains and cereals is lost via evaporation. Due to their volatile nature, organic acids also emit malodours that pose great health risk to both humans and animals.
The monitoring of acid levels present in the air during the production of feed pellets containing formic acid was carried out in a commercial feed mill (see Figure 2). From the resulting data, we conclude that the amount of formic acid present in the work environment was greatly reduced when pure formic acid was replaced by SoftAcid. A corresponding reduction in odour was also observed.
SoftAcid reduces the evaporation of organic acids, which leads to an increased efficiency over time.
Figure 2 - Evaporation of acid
Skin corrosion
Most of our SoftAcid products are classified as non-corrosive to skin, based on tests performed according to OECD guideline 404 (2015).