New process brings commercialization of CO₂ utilization technology to produce formic acid one step closer

CCU (carbon seize and utilization), which captures CO₂ and converts it into helpful compounds, is essential for quickly transitioning to a carbon-neutral society. Whereas CCS (carbon seize and storage), which solely entails CO₂ storage, has entered the preliminary commercialization stage resulting from its comparatively easy course of and low operational prices, CCU has solely been explored on the analysis degree as a result of complexity of conversion processes and excessive manufacturing prices of compounds.

Dr. Lee Ung’s staff on the Clear Power Analysis Middle of the Korea Institute of Science and Know-how have developed a novel CCU course of that converts CO₂ into formic acid. Formic acid, an natural acid, is a high-value compound utilized in varied industries akin to leather-based, meals, and prescribed drugs.

The research is published within the journal Joule.

At the moment formic acid retains a big market consuming round a million tons yearly, which is predicted to develop sooner or later owing to its potential use as a hydrogen provider. Furthermore, it has a better manufacturing effectivity in comparison with different CCU-based chemical compounds, as it may be produced from a single CO₂ molecule.

The analysis staff chosen 1-methylpyrrolidine, which exhibited the best CO₂ conversion price amongst varied amines mediating formic acid manufacturing reactions, and optimized the operating temperature and strain of the reactor containing a ruthenium (Ru)-based catalyst, thereby rising the CO₂ conversion price to over twice the present degree of 38%.

To deal with the extreme vitality consumption and formic acid decomposition points throughout CO₂ separation from air or exhaust gases and formic acid purification, the staff developed a simultaneous capture-conversion course of that immediately converts CO₂ captured throughout the amine with out separating it.

In consequence, they considerably lowered the formic acid manufacturing value from round $790 per ton to $490 per ton whereas mitigating CO₂ emissions, in comparison with typical formic acid manufacturing.

To judge the commercialization potential of the developed formic acid manufacturing course of, the analysis staff constructed the world’s largest pilot plant able to producing 10 kg of formic acid per day.

Earlier CCU research had been performed on a small scale in laboratories and didn’t take into account the product purification course of required for large-scale manufacturing. Nonetheless, the analysis staff developed processes and supplies to reduce corrosion and formic acid decomposition, and optimized working situations that led to profitable manufacturing of formic acid with a purity exceeding 92%.

The staff plans to finish a 100 kg per day pilot plant by 2025 and conduct course of verification, aiming for commercialization by 2030. Success in course of verification with the 100 kg pilot plant is predicted to allow transportation and gross sales to demand firms.

Dr. Lee Ung said, “Through this research, we have confirmed the commercialization potential of our process that converts CO₂ to formic acid, which is a huge breakthrough considering that most CCU technologies are being conducted at lab-scale.”

He additional expressed his intention to contribute to attaining the nation’s carbon neutrality purpose by accelerating the commercialization of CCU.