Formic Acid Dehydrogenation with Separate CO2 and H2 Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of gaseous carbon dioxide along with gaseous hydrogen during the dehydrogenation of formic acid complicates the separation of hydrogen for further use, making it a complex process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a transfer molecule, formate (HCO2-), to release hydrogen separately from carbon dioxide by contacting formic acid with an aqueous hydrogen carbonate solution, discharging carbon dioxide, converting formate to hydrogen carbonate and hydrogen, and discharging hydrogen from separate reaction compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If formic acid is used for chemical hydrogen storage, then hydrogen can be stored safely, but carbon dioxide is produced alongside hydrogen making separation complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the dehydrogenation process into two separate reaction compartments: a first compartment where formic acid reacts with hydrogen carbonate to produce carbon dioxide, and a second compartment where formate dehydrogenation produces hydrogen. This spatial segmentation allows each gas to be produced and collected separately, eliminating the need for complex gas separation while maintaining safe chemical storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the carbon dioxide production step from the hydrogen production step by using hydrogen carbonate as a reactant that selectively reacts with formic acid to form carbon dioxide in the first compartment. This extraction allows carbon dioxide to be removed from the system before hydrogen is produced in the second compartment, simplifying the overall process.
2Quantity of substance
If gaseous hydrogen is stored, then energy can be stored, but volumetric energy density is low requiring liquefaction or compression
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses formic acid as an intermediary chemical carrier that stores hydrogen in a condensed liquid state. The formic acid molecule contains the hydrogen atoms that will be released as gas later, allowing high volumetric energy density without requiring compression or liquefaction of pure hydrogen. The formate intermediate then serves as the actual hydrogen storage medium in the reaction compartments.
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 allows for the efficient and separate release of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, simplifying the separation process and producing high-purity hydrogen ready for use in fuel cells without the need for complex gas separation.
Implementation Method 1
contacting formic acid with an aqueous hydrogen carbonate solution to form carbonic acid and formate
Implementation Method 2
discharging carbon dioxide from the first reaction compartment, wherein the carbon dioxide dissociates together with water from the carbonic acid
Implementation Method 3
converting the formate with water to hydrogen carbonate and hydrogen in a second reaction compartment
Implementation Method 4
discharging hydrogen from the second reaction compartment
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of releasing hydrogen from formic acid via a transfer molecule. The method comprises the steps of contacting formic acid (I) with an aqueous hydrogen carbonate solution (V) in a first reaction compartment (A) to form carbonic acid and formate; discharging carbon dioxide (II) from the first reaction compartment (A), wherein the carbon dioxide dissociates together with water from the carbonic acid; subsequently converting the formate (III) with water to hydrogen carbonate (V) and hydrogen in a second reaction compartment (B); and discharging hydrogen (IV) from the second reaction compartment (B). The invention further relates to a use of the method to produce purified carbon dioxide and hydrogen as separate gases.