Two-Phase Formate Production for High-Yield Formic Acid Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing formic acid suffer from low yield and productivity, necessitating the development of a more efficient process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a two-phase system reaction with a catalyst, using a solvent to produce formate, followed by protonation through electrodialysis to form formic acid, utilizing a catalyst with a turnover number (TON) of 10000 or more, and employing a ruthenium complex catalyst with specific ligands for high yield and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used for producing formic acid, then the production process is simple, but the yield and productivity are low
Solution Approach 1:
The production process is divided into two distinct phases: a two-phase catalytic reaction system for formate production, and a separate electrodialysis process for formic acid recovery. This segmentation allows each process to be optimized independently, achieving high yield while maintaining operational simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces formate as an intermediate compound in the production pathway. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are first converted to formate in a two-phase reaction system, and then formate is converted to formic acid through electrodialysis. This intermediary approach enables high-yield production while simplifying the overall process control
2Productivity
If a two-phase system with high base concentration is used, then formate production yield increases, but catalyst recovery becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a phase transfer catalyst that mediates between the aqueous phase (where formate is produced at high concentration) and the organic phase (where the catalyst resides). This intermediary mechanism allows the catalyst to function effectively in the high-base-concentration environment while remaining recoverable through phase separation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains a base concentration of 2.5 mol/L or more in the aqueous phase to achieve high formate yield, while the catalyst operates in the organic phase. This parameter differentiation between phases allows high productivity without compromising catalyst recovery, as the catalyst can be easily separated by removing the aqueous phase
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
The method enables high-yield production of formate and formic acid with improved catalyst recovery and reuse, reducing production costs and facilitating safe hydrogen and carbon dioxide storage.
Implementation Method 1
reacting hydrogen with carbon dioxide, a hydrogen carbonate or a carbonate using a catalyst in the presence of a solvent to form the formate
Implementation Method 2
protonating at least a part of the formate by electrodialysis to form formic acid and water
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a formate, the method including a first step of reacting hydrogen with carbon dioxide, a hydrogen carbonate or a carbonate using a catalyst in the presence of a solvent to form a formate in the reaction liquid, wherein the reaction is a two-phase system in which an organic phase and an aqueous phase are present in a separated state in the solvent, and a base concentration in the reaction is 2.5 mol/L or more.