Formic acid production begins: A new era in the world of energy production and storage
Formic acid production begins: A new era in the world of energy production and storage
The demand for innovations in the world’s energy management is constantly growing, as the spread of renewable energy sources places increasing emphasis on efficient, safe and mobile energy storage. In this environment, science and industry have reached a new milestone: the industrial-scale production of formic acid has begun, which not only proves the success of laboratory experiments, but also creates opportunities for the efficient storage and transport of renewable energies.
From the laboratory to the industrial scale
Formic acid, chemically known as methanoic acid, has been a known compound for a long time, but until now it has mainly been produced in smaller, laboratory quantities. Laboratory experiments have shown that formic acid is an excellent energy storage medium, thanks to its ability to safely preserve hydrogen in a bound form. Now, however, the technology has made a breakthrough: 1,600-liter reactors operating in industrial plants make it possible to store 50 kilograms of hydrogen in up to 1 cubic meter of formic acid at a time, which means 1,650 kWh of energy.
This amount can meet not only laboratory but also real industrial needs, whether it is mobile charging networks, electricity generation or even the efficient supply of electric vehicles. The reactor only requires water, carbon dioxide and energy during operation, which forms the basis of environmentally friendly technology.
How does the process work?
Formic acid is produced using the photocatalytic principle. This means that during the process, the starting material, water and carbon dioxide, are converted into formic acid and hydrogen through a catalyst using light energy. The photocatalytic reaction allows the process to be energy-efficient and clean, while the product – formic acid – is easy to handle, store and transport.
One of the biggest advantages of the process is that the hydrogen stored in formic acid can be converted back into electricity exactly where and in the amount that the user needs. This allows the technology to be used in balancing the electricity grid, charging electric cars, and even in providing energy in larger-scale industrial power plants.
Formic acid as a liquid energy storage
Traditional methods of energy storage, such as batteries, face several limitations: they are often difficult to transport, have limited storage capacity, and their production is environmentally harmful. In contrast, formic acid stores energy in liquid form, which opens up a fundamentally new perspective in the field of energy supply and transportation.
The advantages of liquid energy storage include:
Easy transportability: Formic acid, as a liquid, can be easily transported via existing logistics infrastructure, whether by road, rail, or sea.
Flexible use: At the point of use, the stored hydrogen can be quickly converted back into electricity as needed.
High energy density: A single cubic meter of formic acid can store 50 kg of hydrogen, which is equivalent to 1,650 kWh of energy, making the technology capable of supporting industrial-scale energy supply.
Environmentally friendly: The process only requires water, carbon dioxide and energy, with no harmful by-products.
Application possibilities
Formic acid-based energy storage has a wide range of applications. From small-scale applications, such as mobile electric charging networks, to larger industrial applications, such as powering power plants, the technology offers flexibility and reliability.
Mobile electric charging networks: Formic acid makes it possible to charge electric vehicles anywhere, without having to be directly connected to the electricity grid.
Renewable energy integration: Renewable sources, such as wind or solar power, often fluctuate in their production. With the help of formic acid, the excess energy thus generated can be easily stored and converted back into electricity later, when needed.
Industrial and power plant use: On a larger scale, formic acid technology enables the flexible storage and distribution of energy, thus providing a stable, continuous energy supply for industrial consumers.
Milestones in industrial production
The launch of industrial formic acid production is the result of a long and complex process. During laboratory experiments, researchers first examined the basics of the technology and the optimal conditions for the photocatalytic reaction. After successful laboratory tests, pilot plants were set up, where the production of larger quantities was examined.
The current production in industrial plants is a significant step forward, as the 1600-liter reactors already provide real industrial capacity. The reactors can produce up to 1 cubic meter of formic acid, which contains 50 kg of hydrogen, in a single cycle. This amount represents 1650 kWh of energy, which is already sufficient for industrial-scale use.
The future of the technology
Formic acid-based energy storage creates a new paradigm in the energy industry. Energy stored in a liquid can be delivered to the point of use in a flexible, safe and environmentally friendly way, whether it is for the electricity grid, electric car charging or industrial use.
Researchers and engineers are continuously working to improve the technology to make it even more efficient and widely applicable. The next steps include optimizing the sizing of the reactors, increasing the energy conversion efficiency and maximizing the use of carbon dioxide.
