|
|
Room Temperature is Warm Enough: Power from Formic Acid
- Article from:
-
Chemical Engineering Progress
- Article date:
-
June 1, 2008
- Author:
- Shelley, Suzanne
|
Copyright informationCopyright American Institute of Chemical Engineers Jun 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
A team at the Leibniz Institute of Catalysis in Rostock, Germany, has succeeded in the controlled extraction of hydrogen from formic acid - without the need for high-temperature reforming usually involved in other hydrogen-generation systems. This hydrogen can be introduced directly into fuel cells.
The process generates on-demand hydrogen from formic acid (HCO^sub 2^H) in the presence of an amine (e.g., /V,W-dimethylhexylamine) and a suitable catalyst (e.g., ruthenium phosphine complex [RuCl^sub 2^(PPH^sub 2^)^sub 2^]). Formic acid is converted selectively into carbon dioxide and hydrogen at room temperature. A simple activated charcoal filter is enough to purify the hydrogen gas for use ...