Simple Continuous High-Pressure Hydrogen Production and Separation System from Formic Acid under Mild Temperatures

A simple and continuous high-pressure (>120MPa) hydrogen production system was developed by the selective decomposition of formic acid at 80 degrees C using an iridium complex as a catalyst, with a view to its application in future hydrogen fuel filling stations. The system is devoid of any compressing system. The described method can provide high-pressure H-2 with 85% purity after applying an effective gas-liquid separation process to separate the generated gas obtained from the decomposition of formic acid (H-2/CO2=1:1). The efficiency of the catalyst lies with its high turnover frequency (1800h(-1) at 40MPa) to produce high-pressure H-2 with a good lifetime of >40h. Interestingly, only very low levels carbon monoxide (less than 6volppm) were detected in the generated gas, even at 120MPa.