Formic Acid of Renewable Chemicals
Formic Acid can be used as an environmentally friendly de-icing agent, a food safe preservative/antibacterial in animal feed and as a finishing agent for leather production.
In addition to well established chemical uses, formic acid could also serve as a carrier for renewable hydrogen. Both the H2 and CO2 contained in the formic acid byproduct would come from a renewable biomass source and would therefore be considered renewable. Formic acid can be stored and transported as a liquid at atmospheric pressure, making it a safer and cheaper option for transport of hydrogen than compressed hydrogen or liquid hydrogen.
A simple well known reforming reaction can separate H2 and CO2 upon arrival at a usage site. The renewable H2 could then be available for transport-based fuel cell or other suitable uses. The renewable CO2 could also be available for uses, such as greenhouse enrichment for food production.