¬Estimating Microbial Hydrogen Consumption in Hydrogen Storage in Porous Media as a Basis for Site Selection

Abstract

Subsurface storage of hydrogen, e.g. in depleted gas or oil fields (DOGF), is suggested as a means to overcome imbalances between supply and demand in the renewable energy sector. However, hydrogen is an electron donor for subsurface microbial processes, which may have important implications for hydrogen recovery, gas injectivity and corrosion. Here, we review the controls on the three major hydrogen consuming processes in the subsurface, methanogenesis, homoacetogenesis, and sulfate reduction, as a basis to develop a hydrogen storage site selection tool. Testing our tool on 42 DOGF showed that seven of the fields may be considered sterile with respect to hydrogenconsuming microbiota due to either temperatures >122 °C or salinities >5 M NaCl. Only three fields can sustain all of the hydrogen consuming processes, due to either temperature, salinity or pressure constraints in the remaining fields. We calculated a potential microbial growth in the order of 1-17*10 7 cells ml-1 for these fields. The associated hydrogen consumption is negligible to small (<0.01-3.2 % of the stored hydrogen). Our results can help inform decisions about where hydrogen will be stored in the future.

Toward a Fundamental Understanding of Geological Hydrogen Storage

“…Methanogens consumed CO 2 and H 2 in the presence of inorganic minerals components, e.g., nitrite, sulfate, and iron oxide, and metabolically released CH 4 and water . Additionally, homoacetogens coupled H 2 oxidation to CO 2 reduction results in acetate acid, which can cause corrosion problems . Additionally, variation in gas composition, clogging near the injection wellbore, and biofilm growth has been observed nevertheless, and growth of microbes and their influence on the petrophysical property are not reported. , However, chaotropy agents (e.g., MgCl 2 , FeCl 3 , CaCl 3 , LiCl, and LiBr) have the ability to limit microbial life in the depleted oil/gas reservoirs, saline aquifers, and salt caverns for H 2 storage projects.…”

“…Additionally, homoacetogens coupled H 2 oxidation to CO 2 reduction results in acetate acid, which can cause corrosion problems . Additionally, variation in gas composition, clogging near the injection wellbore, and biofilm growth has been observed nevertheless, and growth of microbes and their influence on the petrophysical property are not reported. , However, chaotropy agents (e.g., MgCl 2 , FeCl 3 , CaCl 3 , LiCl, and LiBr) have the ability to limit microbial life in the depleted oil/gas reservoirs, saline aquifers, and salt caverns for H 2 storage projects. Table presents the influence of microorganism reactions over H 2 storage security in eqs 2–4.…”

Offshore Geological Storage of Hydrogen: Is This Our Best Option to Achieve Net-Zero?

“…23 Microbial communities could consume hydrogen and contaminate the stored gas, depending on reservoir temperature, pressure, pH, nutrients, water, and salinity, as quantitatively analyzed in a recent study. 24 Biological activity can also lead to the formation of biofilms as a microbial product that can act to reduce permeability, enhance sealing, or block hydrogen flow paths. Various other advantages and disadvantages to the presence of microbes are reported.…”

Enabling large-scale hydrogen storage in porous media – the scientific challenges

“…(*) -data determined at excess hydrogen and varying substrate concentration, temperature and organic matter availability. ( + ) data compiled and taken from91 .…”