Fuel cell technology makes power from formic acid

BASF is working with Tekion, a North American developer of micro fuel cells for portable electronic products, to develop and fuel cell technology that uses formic acid as the fuel. BASF is the world's leading chemical company and the largest producer of formic acid. BASF and Tekion will jointly develop and test a tailor made formic acid fuel composition formulation.

The two companies will also work together on the development of applicable codes and standards and will share their expertise on materials compatibility for fuel cells.

Tekion's lead commercial application is a proprietary miniature 'power pack' capable of fitting inside or attaching to mobile electronic devices and allowing these devices to be off the grid.

It is a micro fuel cell/battery hybrid offered to the market as the Formira Power Pack.

A micro fuel cell recharges the battery allowing extended operation.

The power packs are refuelled with the simple swapping of a cartridge containing formic acid.

Neil Huff, President and CEO of Tekion, says: 'We are extremely excited to be working with BASF.

Their knowledge of formic acid and applicable chemical expertise will assist us tremendously in the commercialisation of our Formira Power Pack'.

Mark Volmer, Head of the Regional Business Unit Acids in BASF's Intermediates Division, says: 'We are fascinated by Tekion's innovative energy solution and will gladly support the development by contributing our comprehensive experience as the leading global supplier of formic acid'.

Tekion's unique product technology provides a competitive advantage for portable electronic products in the power range up to 50W and energy range up to 100Wh.

Several products and markets fall within these power and energy levels including: industrial handheld computers, satellite communication devices, notebook PCs and other mobile products.

As the world's largest producer of formic acid, with production facilities at the integrated Verbund sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Nanjing, China, BASF makes the acid out of carbon monoxide and methanol, which are synthesised to form methyl formate in the first step.

In the second step, this is then split up by means of water into methanol and formic acid.

The acid helps to keep certain feeds fresh and free of salmonellae, removes paints and rust from metallic surfaces and scale from kettles and boilers.

In breweries and wineries it disinfects kegs, casks and barrels; applied as an auxiliary in the pharmaceutical and crop protection industry it regulates pH values; in cleaning it acts as dirt remover and disinfectant.