American scientists have developed an effective process to convert carbon dioxide into formate. This material can be used instead of hydrogen or methanol to generate electricity.

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The entire process, including capturing the gas and converting it electrochemically into a solid, powdered format that can then be used in fuel cells to generate electricity, has been demonstrated in a small laboratory setting by scientists at MIT and Harvard University. But they are convinced that able to scale to industrial scale.

Potassium or sodium formate (formic acid salts) is currently produced industrially and used as an anti-icing agent on roads. It is a drug that is non-toxic, non-flammable, easy to store and transport, can be stored in a metal container for months or even years and remains stable.

Other, less efficient methods of converting carbon dioxide into fuel involve two steps:

• First, the gas is chemically captured and converted into a solid form, potassium carbonate.
• This material is then heated to remove carbon dioxide and convert it into fuel feedstock such as carbon monoxide.

The new process is much more efficient — conversion rate over 90% and eliminates the need for a heating step because the carbon dioxide is first converted to an intermediate form of the liquid metal salt of carbonic acid. This liquid is then converted into liquid potassium or sodium in an electrolyzer using low-carbon electricity (nuclear, wind or solar power). A concentrated solution of potassium or sodium formate can be dried into powder, which is perfectly stored for years in ordinary steel tanks.

Researchers assure that the fuel obtained from formats can be used anywhere, even at home and even on an industrial scale. For example, you can install a refrigerator-sized electrolyzer at home that will convert carbon dioxide into formate. It can be installed in the attic or basement, and if necessary, it can be heated by mixing it with water and pouring it into the fuel elements.