Potassium formate, HCO
2K, HCOOK, or KHCO
2, is the
potassium
Potassium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol K (from Neo-Latin ) and atomic number19. It is a silvery white metal that is soft enough to easily cut with a knife. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmospheric oxygen to ...
salt
In common usage, salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). When used in food, especially in granulated form, it is more formally called table salt. In the form of a natural crystalline mineral, salt is also known as r ...
of
formic acid
Formic acid (), systematically named methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid. It has the chemical formula HCOOH and structure . This acid is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in some an ...
. This strongly hygroscopic white solid is an intermediate in the formate potash process for the production of potassium. Potassium formate has also been studied as a potential
environmentally friendly
Environment friendly processes, or environmental-friendly processes (also referred to as eco-friendly, nature-friendly, and green), are sustainability and marketing terms referring to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies that c ...
deicing salt for use on roads. It has also been suggested for use in a less corrosive
liquid desiccant. A 52% solution of potassium formate has a freezing point of . Potassium formate brines are sometimes used for heat transfer, despite being much more corrosive than many other liquid coolants, especially to zinc and aluminum but even to many steels,
though some formulations are compatible with aluminum and steels.
Since 1995, potassium formate has been increasingly used in aqueous
drilling fluid
In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, is used to aid the drilling of boreholes into the earth. Used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs, drilling fluids are also use ...
s to increase density, stabilize the hole, and improve drilling performance.
References
Formates
Potassium compounds
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