Potassium Formate CAS 590-29-4: Properties, Applications, and Purchasing Guide

Potassium Formate CAS 590-29-4 is a highly water-soluble potassium salt that is commonly used in oilfield fluids, deicing systems, heat-transfer fluids, industrial refrigeration and chemical processing. It comes in the form of a white crystalline solid or concentrated aqueous solution, so that a user in an industrial application can choose the product form that best fits their storage, handling, and production needs.

Choosing potassium formate is more than just looking at the product concentration for drilling-fluid companies, deicing formulators, refrigeration-system operators, chemical distributors or international buyers. Industrial performance can be influenced by density, chloride content, iron, water-insoluble matter, packaging, and batch consistency.

What Is Potassium Formate CAS 590-29-4?

Potassium formate is the potassium salt of formic acid. Its chemical formula is HCOOK, and its CAS number is 590-29-4.

Typical product information includes:

• Chemical name: Potassium Formate
• CAS number: 590-29-4
• Molecular formula: HCOOK
• Molecular weight: approximately 84.12
• Appearance: White crystalline solid or clear aqueous solution
• Solubility: Highly soluble in water
• EINECS number: 209-677-9

Commercial potassium formate may be supplied as a solid product or as liquid solutions with different concentrations. Common liquid grades may include 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or 75% solutions, depending on the supplier and application.

The exact specification should always be confirmed through the supplier’s technical data sheet and batch-specific certificate of analysis.

Main Properties of Potassium Formate

Potassium formate has several characteristics that make it useful in demanding industrial fluid systems.

These properties may include:

• High water solubility
• Adjustable solution concentration
• High-density brine capability
• Low suspended-solids potential
• Good thermal stability
• Suitable low-temperature performance
• Compatibility with selected polymers and additives
• Availability in both solid and liquid forms

The performance of potassium formate depends on concentration, purity, impurity control, temperature, and the complete formulation in which it is used.

Solid Potassium Formate

Solid potassium formate is commonly supplied as white crystals, powder, or granules.

Potential advantages include:

• High active-content transportation
• Lower water-shipping cost
• Flexible on-site dilution
• Convenient long-term storage
• Suitability for dry-material feeding systems

However, customers need suitable dissolving tanks, agitation systems, water-quality control, and filtration equipment.

Typical solid grades may include 96% or 98% potassium formate, although specifications vary between suppliers.

Liquid Potassium Formate

Liquid potassium formate is supplied as a ready-to-use aqueous solution.

Potential advantages include:

• Easy pumping
• Faster dosing
• No on-site powder dissolution
• Stable concentration
• Reduced dust during handling
• Compatibility with automated feeding systems

The customer should confirm the solution concentration, density, crystallization temperature, storage range, and packaging compatibility before placing an order.

Oilfield Drilling Fluids

Potassium Formate CAS 590-29-4 is widely used in selected oilfield fluid systems.

It can be incorporated into drilling fluids to support:

• Density adjustment
• Low-solids formulations
• Shale inhibition
• Fluid clarity
• High-temperature performance
• Improved filtration
• Reduced settling
• Compatibility with selected polymers

Potassium formate brines may be preferred where operators require density without introducing large quantities of suspended weighting solids.

The final drilling fluid should be tested for rheology, fluid loss, thermal aging, corrosion, solids tolerance, and formation compatibility.

Completion and Workover Fluids

Completion and workover fluids often require clean, stable brines capable of providing hydrostatic pressure without excessive suspended solids.

Potassium formate may offer:

• Adjustable density
• Clear-brine characteristics
• Reduced solids loading
• Easier filtration
• Stable solution properties
• Compatibility with selected completion chemicals

Before field use, the complete fluid should be evaluated for:

• Corrosion
• Scale tendency
• Elastomer compatibility
• Fluid loss
• Formation compatibility
• Thermal stability
• Crystallization risk

Drill-In Fluids

Drill-in fluids are designed to protect productive formations while maintaining wellbore stability and drilling performance.

Potassium formate can be used in selected drill-in systems where low solids, high density, and good fluid stability are required.

Recommended evaluations may include:

• Filter-cake quality
• Return permeability
• Fluid loss
• Rheology
• Thermal aging
• Breaker compatibility
• Formation-damage testing

Deicing and Anti-Icing

Potassium formate can be used in selected liquid deicing and anti-icing formulations.

Potential application areas include:

• Airport runways
• Roads and highways
• Bridges
• Railway facilities
• Industrial yards
• Logistics terminals

Its high water solubility makes it suitable for liquid application systems.

The finished deicing formulation should be tested for:

• Freezing-point performance
• Ice-melting rate
• Anti-icing effectiveness
• Corrosion
• Concrete compatibility
• Metal compatibility
• Surface residue
• Environmental requirements
• Storage stability

Potassium formate should be evaluated as part of the complete deicing formulation rather than as an isolated raw material.

Heat-Transfer Fluids

Potassium formate may be used in secondary refrigeration and industrial heat-transfer systems.

Possible applications include:

• Cold-storage warehouses
• Food-processing plants
• Industrial cooling systems
• Ice rinks
• Refrigerated logistics
• Process-temperature control

The complete heat-transfer formulation should be evaluated for:

• Freezing or crystallization temperature
• Viscosity
• Thermal conductivity
• Corrosion
• Pump compatibility
• Seal compatibility
• Long-term stability
• Concentration control

Corrosion inhibitors and other additives may be required depending on the system design.

Chemical Processing

Potassium formate may also serve as a raw material, intermediate, or process component in selected chemical manufacturing operations.

For chemical processors, stable composition is important because variations may affect:

• Reaction efficiency
• Filtration
• Product yield
• Equipment cleanliness
• Final product quality
• Process repeatability

A reliable supplier should provide consistent batches and complete quality traceability.

Important Quality Specifications

Buyers should review the complete product specification before purchasing.

Important quality indicators may include:

• Potassium formate content
• Moisture
• Solution concentration
• Density
• Chloride
• Iron
• Water-insoluble matter
• pH
• Appearance
• Color
• Crystallization temperature
• Particle size for solid products

Potassium Formate Content

The active potassium formate content affects dosing, solution preparation, freight efficiency, and final formulation performance.

For solid products, buyers should confirm whether the assay is measured on an as-is or dry basis.

For liquid products, concentration should be stated as a percentage by weight.

Density

Density is an important indicator for liquid potassium formate.

It helps verify:

• Solution concentration
• Mixing accuracy
• Batch consistency
• Dilution results

Because density changes with temperature, the supplier should clearly state the measurement temperature.

Chloride Content

Chloride may influence corrosion in oilfield, deicing, and heat-transfer applications.

Excessive chloride may contribute to:

• Metal corrosion
• Higher inhibitor demand
• Equipment damage
• Reduced service life
• Compatibility problems

Buyers should define the maximum acceptable chloride level according to their system materials and operating conditions.

Iron Content

Iron may affect:

• Product color
• Brine clarity
• Chemical stability
• Scale formation
• Corrosion behavior
• Final fluid appearance

Low iron content may be especially important for clear completion fluids and sensitive heat-transfer systems.

Water-Insoluble Matter

Low water-insoluble matter can help reduce:

• Filter blockage
• Tank deposits
• Pipeline contamination
• Nozzle obstruction
• Equipment wear
• Formation damage

Oilfield and heat-transfer users should pay close attention to this parameter.

Crystallization Temperature

Crystallization temperature is particularly important for concentrated potassium formate solutions.

If the product is stored below its recommended temperature, crystals may form and cause:

• Blocked pipelines
• Pumping difficulties
• Valve obstruction
• Uneven concentration
• Tank deposits
• Production delays

The selected concentration should be suitable for the expected storage and operating temperature.

Solution Preparation

Solid potassium formate can be dissolved in clean water to prepare solutions of different concentrations.

Important preparation factors include:

• Water quality
• Mixing temperature
• Agitation
• Addition rate
• Target concentration
• Dissolution time
• Filtration
• Storage temperature

The product should be added gradually under controlled mixing.

After preparation, the solution should be tested for density, concentration, pH, clarity, and application compatibility.

Packaging Options

Potassium Formate CAS 590-29-4 may be supplied in different packaging formats.

Solid Packaging

Common options include:

• 25 kg moisture-resistant bags
• 500 kg bulk bags
• 1,000 kg jumbo bags
• Palletized export packaging
• Customized printed bags

Liquid Packaging

Common options include:

• 200-liter drums
• IBC tanks
• ISO tanks
• Road tankers
• Customized bulk delivery

Packaging should be compatible with the product form, concentration, transportation method, and receiving equipment.

Storage and Handling

Solid potassium formate should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse.

It should be protected from:

• Rain
• Humidity
• Strong acids
• Contamination
• Damaged packaging
• Direct water exposure
• Improper stacking

Liquid potassium formate should be stored in clean, compatible tanks and kept within the recommended temperature range.

Workers should follow the supplier’s safety data sheet and use appropriate gloves, eye protection, protective clothing, and site-specific handling procedures.

How to Choose a Supplier

Review the Technical Data Sheet

The supplier should provide measurable limits for purity, concentration, chloride, iron, insoluble matter, density, and crystallization temperature.

Request a Batch-Specific COA

The certificate of analysis should correspond to the actual shipment batch and include measured values.

Test a Representative Sample

Recommended tests may include:

• Potassium formate content
• Density
• Chloride
• Iron
• Insoluble matter
• pH
• Appearance
• Crystallization behavior
• Application performance

Confirm Production Capacity

Buyers should ask about:

• Monthly output
• Available inventory
• Standard lead time
• Repeat-order capacity
• Emergency supply arrangements
• Solid and liquid product availability

Review Quality Traceability

Each shipment should be traceable through:

• Batch number
• Production date
• Test records
• Retained samples
• Packaging records
• Shipping documents

Evaluate Export Experience

International buyers should work with suppliers experienced in liquid chemical packaging, container loading, customs documentation, freight booking, and destination requirements.

Required Documents

A professional supplier should be able to provide:

• Technical data sheet
• Safety data sheet
• Certificate of analysis
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of origin
• Bill of lading
• Customs declaration documents
• Inspection reports when required

All documents should use consistent product names, CAS numbers, concentrations, weights, and batch details.

Total Procurement Cost

The total cost of purchasing potassium formate includes more than the quoted unit price.

Buyers should consider:

• Active potassium formate content
• Packaging
• Inland transportation
• Ocean freight
• Port charges
• Customs clearance
• Import duties
• Storage
• Heating or insulation
• Dissolution
• Pumping
• Filtration
• Quality inspection
• Operational risk

A stable product with controlled impurities may reduce filtration problems, corrosion, formulation variation, and production delays.

Questions to Ask Before Ordering

Buyers should confirm:

• Is the product solid or liquid?
• What concentrations or purity grades are available?
• What are the chloride and iron limits?
• What is the density at the stated temperature?
• What is the crystallization temperature?
• Can recent batch COAs be provided?
• Is a representative sample available?
• What packaging options are offered?
• What is the standard lead time?
• Can private labeling be supported?
• Which export documents are included?
• Can third-party inspection be arranged?

Conclusion

Potassium Formate CAS 590-29-4 is an industrial chemical with a wide range of applications including the formulation of oilfield drilling, completion and workover fluids, de-icing systems, heat-transfer fluids and refrigeration systems, and chemical processing.

Concentration, density, chloride, iron, insoluble matter, crystallization behavior, packaging and batch consistency are key factors that influence its performance.

Buyers should read the complete technical specification before buying, obtain a certificate of analysis for the batch they intend to purchase, test a sample of the product, and verify the product's storage, packaging, and transportation needs.

A reliable supplier would offer consistent quality, specification of impurities, solid or liquid, full documentation, technical support and reliable delivery worldwide.