Formate Production via pH-Controlled Hydrogen Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for converting carbon dioxide to formate suffer from low energy efficiency and reduced yield, particularly when using metal carbonates or bicarbonates as carbon dioxide sources, and generate by-products such as ammonia, which complicates the process and reduces product selectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the simultaneous conversion of carbon dioxide and a hydrocarbon with hydroxy groups using a solvent with 1-4 carbon atoms, adjusted to a pH range of 10-14, in the presence of a catalyst supported on a noble metal like platinum or palladium, which enhances the yield of formate production at low temperatures without generating ammonia by-products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Na2CO3 is used as a carbon dioxide source, then material supply becomes easier and ammonia by-products are reduced, but the yield of formate production is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the reaction medium to 10-14 by adding a base, which transforms the reaction conditions to enable high-yield formate production using Na2CO3 as the carbon dioxide source. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by creating optimal conditions for formate formation while maintaining the ease of material supply advantage of Na2CO3.
2Productivity
If (NH4)2CO3 is used as a carbon dioxide source, then formate can be produced, but ammonia by-products are generated and material sourcing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful ammonia by-product issue by replacing (NH4)2CO3 with Na2CO3 as the carbon dioxide source. This substitution eliminates ammonia generation while maintaining formate production capability, effectively taking out the harmful factor from the system.
3Ease of manufacture
If direct hydrogenation of CO2 with H2 gas is performed, then the reaction is straightforward, but a lot of energy is required for conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an organic compound as an intermediary hydrogen donor that transfers hydrogen to CO2 through hydrogen transfer reaction. This mediator enables the reaction to proceed under milder conditions with lower energy input compared to direct hydrogenation with H2 gas, while maintaining reaction simplicity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogen transfer reaction using hydrocarbons with hydroxy groups is performed, then energy consumption is reduced, but reaction selectivity and formate yield are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes multiple parameters simultaneously: pH (to 10-14), solvent type (alcohol with 1-4 carbon atoms), and temperature (low temperature conditions). These parameter changes work together to improve reaction selectivity toward formate while maintaining low energy consumption through the hydrogen transfer mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly improves the yield of formate production while maintaining low energy consumption and avoiding by-product formation, making the process more efficient and cost-effective for carbon dioxide conversion.
Implementation Method 1
One such technique is a process of converting carbon dioxide to formic acid through a hydrogenation reaction
Implementation Method 2
converting carbon dioxide to formic acid through a hydrogenation reaction
Implementation Method 3
a hydrogen transfer reaction in which hydrocarbons including hydroxy groups, such as glycerol and glucose, are reacted with carbon dioxide so that hydrogen in the hydrocarbons can migrate into carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 4
hydrogen transfer reaction in which hydrocarbons including hydroxy groups, such as glycerol and glucose, are reacted with carbon dioxide so that hydrogen in the hydrocarbons can migrate into carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a high-yield simultaneous conversion method for a hydrogen source and a carbon dioxide source. The method significantly increases a yield of a formate through conversion of carbon dioxide. To this end, a carbon dioxide source and a hydrocarbon containing one or more hydroxy groups undergo a simultaneous conversion reaction in the presence of a solvent containing one or more alcohols and having a pH of 10 to 14.