Potassium Formate 75%

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General Description

Potassium formate (HCOOK) is a salt derived from formic acid. It serves several important functions, particularly in the production of potassium metal and in applications within the oil and gas industry. Potassium formate is often used in aqueous solutions, either alone or mixed with cesium formate. It can be synthesized by absorbing carbon monoxide in a 50-80% KOH solution at temperatures between 100-200°C, under partial pressures of CO greater than 690 kPa. This compound is highly soluble in water, and a saturated solution at 18°C contains 76.8% potassium formate by weight. A solution can be easily made from formic acid and KOH.

The use of potassium formate is already widespread in the oil-drilling sector, and it also serves as an ice-removing agent for aircraft. Its environmental friendliness is one of its significant advantages. Additionally, potassium formate can be prepared by neutralizing a methanol solution of formic acid with potassium carbonate. Typically, evaporation does not lead to crystallization of potassium formate because water remains in the solution. However, when dried in a desiccator over P2O5, large prismatic crystals can form; these crystals require careful handling due to their deliquescent nature.

Figure 1: Appearance of Potassium Formate

Applications

Potassium formate is primarily employed to create water-based oil well injection fluids. In the late 20th century, it was incorporated into drilling and completion fluids, particularly for high-density systems, yielding excellent results. The drilling fluid formulated with potassium formate has several advantages, including strong inhibition characteristics, good compatibility, environmental sustainability, and protection of reservoirs. Field studies suggest that potassium formate effectively inhibits clay hydration. Some other benefits include: (i) lower biological oxygen demand compared to acetates or urea, (ii) effective degradation at low temperatures, (iii) less leaching of trace metals from roadsides than sodium chloride and acetates, and (iv) reduced taste levels in groundwater compared to conventional road salts and potassium acetate (CH3COOK). In prior experiments, potassium formate was identified as the least harmful deicing chemical with respect to groundwater quality when compared to sodium chloride, calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and others.

Shuntong is committed to quality and exports potassium formate worldwide across various industries. Our goal is to provide customers with high-value-added products, and together we can strive for a better future.

Degradation

Potassium formate can degrade in the unsaturated zone of a sandy aquifer. Research indicates that formate was effectively removed (98%) in a sandy lysimeter following a cold winter. This loss of formate was accompanied by the production of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in the percolating water, indicating biodegradation. Moreover, potassium appeared to be adsorbed (99%) in the soil of the lysimeter, and ion exchange between potassium and various monovalent and divalent ions in the aquifer material likely contributed to the leaching of barium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium from the soil.

When potassium formate has been used as a deicer over several years, potassium can leach into groundwater. Direct application of alkaline potassium formate at high concentrations (50 wt. %) has been shown to be detrimental to most plants on the lysimeter surface. However, the impacts on roadside vegetation are expected to be less severe due to the dilution effects of melt water and precipitation. Further research is necessary, particularly field studies examining the effects of potassium formate on vegetation, road surfaces, and the leaching of heavy metals from the soil. This research is crucial before permitting widespread use of potassium formate over Finnish shallow sandy aquifers.

References

[1] Bats JW, Fuess H. Potassium Formate. Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 36(8): -.

[2] Kivela, H., Nenonen, A., Nysten, T., Hellsten, P., & Tuorila, H. Alternative de-icing salts taste only when used at high concentrations. (In Finnish.) Vesitalous 1:18-21.

[3] Hellsten, P., & Nysten, T. Migration of alternative de-icers in the unsaturated zone of aquifers; In vitro study. Water Sci. Technol. 48(9):45-50.

[4] Hellsten P P, Kivimäki A L, Miettinen I T, et al. Degradation of potassium formate in the unsaturated zone of a sandy aquifer. Journal of Environmental Quality, 34(5): -.

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