In November 2010, EPFL laboratories produced the opposite reaction. Through a catalytic process, the formic acid reverts to CO2 and hydrogen, which can then be converted into electricity. A compact working prototype producing 2 kilowatts of power has been developed, and two companies have purchased a license to develop this technology: Granit (Switzerland) and Tekion (Canada).
It is probably in the automotive field that the invention has the greatest potential. Currently, the prototypes produced by certain carmakers store hydrogen in conventional form, which entails problems such as risk of explosion, large volume pressurized tanks, difficulties in filling the tank quickly, etc.
The vehicles of the 21st century may run on formic acid. This solution allows for safer, more compact hydrogen storage as well as easier filling at the pump – formic acid is liquid at room temperature. “Technically, it is quite feasible. In fact, a number of major automobile manufacturers contacted us in 2008, when oil prices reached record highs,” says Gabor Laurenczy. “In my opinion, the only obstacle is cost.” It will be several years before drivers can pull up to any anthill and fill their tanks
SEATTLE, WA, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Mantra Venture Group Ltd. ('Mantra', OTCBB: MVTG, FSE: 5MV) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Collaboration Agreement with Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne's (EPFL) Laboratory of Organometallic and Medicinal Chemistry (LCOM) and Granit Green Networks Ltd. (GGN) of Switzerland to engage in a collaborative project to convert CO2 into hydrogen fuel - using formic acid as the carrier.
The purpose of the collaboration is to combine Mantra's Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide (ERC) technology with a technology developed by Dr. Gabor Laurenczy et al. of EPFL that generates hydrogen from formic acid on demand and at high pressure. If successful, the parties will look to develop and commercialize an energy/hydrogen storage and hydrogen/energy supply system based on the sustainable production of formic acid as a liquid hydrogen carrier. The formic acid, where produced by clean energy, will have a negative carbon balance.
John Russell, Vice President of Technology Evaluation at Mantra, said: "The EPFL/GGN patented technology is unique in that it produces hydrogen at pressure from formic acid. By pairing this technology with Mantra's ERC technology, we can convert CO(2) into a liquid hydrogen carrier via formic acid - an organic acid that can be safely transported and stored - and deliver hydrogen at pressure as required at the refuelling site. This would be a significant achievement, as it would lead to safe transport, handling and delivery of hydrogen to a commuter fleet powered by fuel cells.
Granit Green Networks Ltd. (GGN) has been active in sustainable development since 1971 and has successfully developed technologies in several industry sectors, including: renewable energies, renewable materials, water treatment and waste management. Over the years, GGN has initiated a number of structures and associations dedicated to the demonstration, training and transfer of environmental technologies and methodologies, including:
- SESEC - Sustainable Environmental Solutions for Emerging Countries (www.sesec.org) - IFGRA - International Federation of Green Regions (www.ifgra.org) - The "Green Center" in the North of Canton of Vaud and the related network of Green Centers, etc. ( www.tecorbe.com) GGN currently holds the exclusive license for all applications above 500 W of EPFL's concept to generate hydrogen in situ from formic acid.
The adoption of this system would then allow the hydrogen fuel cell car to compete with the battery commuter car. At present, batteries are seen as being more practical and economic than fuel cells. This collaboration could help industry overcome the 'hydrogen infrastructure barrier'."