Potassium formate
Potassium formate, chemically denoted as KHCO₂ or CHKO₂, is the potassium salt of formic acid (HCOOH), appearing as a colorless, hygroscopic crystalline solid with a molecular weight of 84.12 g/mol.[1][2] It exhibits a density of 1.91 g/cm³ and a melting point of 165–168 °C, while being highly soluble in water at approximately 337 g/100 mL at 20 °C.[2] This compound serves as a versatile buffering agent in chemical formulations due to its ability to maintain pH stability in aqueous solutions.[1] In the oil and gas industry, potassium formate is a critical additive in high-density, clear brine drilling and completion fluids, particularly for high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) wells, where it provides superior well control, lubricity, and inhibition of clay swelling without the need for solid weighting agents like barite.[3] These formate brines are fully soluble in seawater, recyclable with 80–90% recovery rates, and demonstrate low environmental toxicity, with acute LC50 values ranging from 540 mg/L for Daphnia magna to 6900 mg/L for Mysidopsis bahia.[3] Beyond drilling, potassium formate functions as an eco-friendly de-icing agent, especially at airports for runway and aircraft treatment, effective in temperatures from -20 °F to 15 °F, with minimal corrosion to metals and rapid biodegradation that poses low risk to groundwater or oxygen levels in water bodies.[4] It also appears in heat transfer fluids for low-temperature applications and as a reducing agent in select industrial processes, underscoring its broad utility in environmentally conscious operations.[2]Properties
Physical properties
Potassium formate has the chemical formula HCOOK and a molecular weight of 84.12 g/mol.[1] It appears as a white, hygroscopic crystalline powder and is odorless.[5] The hygroscopic nature causes it to absorb moisture from the air, leading to deliquescence in humid conditions.[6] The density of the solid is 1.908 g/cm³ at 20°C.[5] It has a melting point of 167.5°C and decomposes upon further heating without reaching a boiling point.[1] Potassium formate exhibits high solubility in water, with values increasing markedly with temperature, as shown in the following table:| Temperature (°C) | Solubility (g/100 mL water) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 32.8 |
| 20 | 331 |
| 80 | 657 |