Analysis of hydrogen and related or other substances from materials, including geologic materials; related methods and devices.

Abstract

Methods for quantifying hydrogen and evaluating hydrogen purity in materials, such as in geologic materials of a geologic unit are provided, as well as devices for performing such analyses, and other related methods or other embodiments. One exemplary aspect is a method for measuring the amount of hydrogen in a material comprising obtaining an analyzable amount of a material as a sample, subjecting the sample to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extract one or more easily released volatile substances from the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising at least one hydrogen proxy, collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances, and measuring the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy in the collected portion of the easily released volatile substances and using the measurement in a determination of the amount of hydrogen in the material.

Description

ANALYSIS OF HYDROGEN AND RELATED OR OTHER SUBSTANCES FROM MATERIALS, INCLUDING GEOLOGIC MATERIALS; RELATED METHODS AND DEVICES; AND NEW APPLICATIONS OF HYDROGEN AND OTHER SUBSTANCES Transformative Legal Reference No.: AHS23511WOWBZ RELATED APPLICATIONS / PRIORITY

[0001] This PCT Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 613,751 filed December 21, 2023, entitled ANALYSIS OF HYDROGEN AND RELATED OR OTHER SUBSTANCES FROM MATERIALS, INCLUDING GEOLOGIC MATERIALS; RELATED DEVICES, COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS; AND NEW APPLICATIONS OF HYDROGEN AND OTHER SUBSTANCES. This Application claims the benefit of priority to the above-referenced application. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure primarily relates to method(s) of analyzing (e.g., quantifying or measuring), compound(s) in or associated with, e.g., extracted from, material(s), such as geologic material(s), wherein such compound(s) include, e.g., hydrogen, helium, or both. This disclosure further relates to system(s), including, e.g., related computer system(s), device(s), and associated method(s), for obtaining and using hydrogen and helium data from material samples as well as to new applications of such data. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Earlier patents belonging to the inventor of the present Application disclose methods and related devices for the analysis of materials, such as geologic materials, including volatile substances associated with such materials, e.g., that can be analyzed from samples associated with petroleum operations, such as, e.g., drill cuttings or cores. This prior work is collectively referred to as the “Prior Smith Patents,” examples of which are provided in the “Terms and Principals Specific to the Technology” section of this Application.

[0004] These documents are disclosed herein by reference, and methods, materials, systems, etc., of any one, some, most, or all of such disclosures can be combined with aspects of this disclosure, uncontradicted. However, given the differences between the methods, devices, compositions, etc., of this disclosure, any element of the disclosure of any one of, some, or all of the Prior Smith Patents also can be, uncontradicted, excluded from any aspect of this disclosure.

[0005] The method(s) and device(s) Prior Smith Patents have primarily focused on the analysis of hydrocarbons or other compounds (e.g., organic acids) for the identification or characterization of petroleum production properties associated with geologic materials and related sites and, more recently, to the analysis of carbon sequestration capability or performance.

[0006] Hydrogen is an attractive potential fuel source and resource. However, there are a number of impediments and challenges to identifying useful sources of fuel grade hydrogen and obtaining fuel grade hydrogen from geologic or other materials. For example, there currently are a lack of methods, systems, and devices that can analyze subsurface hydrogen efficiently or effectively, and it is the common view of the scientific community that hydrogen is normally presented in mixed composition, e.g., less than about 99.95%, less than about 99.99%, or less than about 99.995% pure hydrogen, with other elements (e.g., helium), rendering identified sources as unsuitable (accurately or not). Additionally, there remains a lack of compositions, e.g., materials, pipes, seals, valves and other equipment associated with the extraction and production of gases and liquids, that are stable and robust in the presence of hydrogen. These facts remain true even though hydrogen exploration and production are key areas of focus for institutions and governments as humankind seeks to find better alternative fuel sources. In view of the failure to develop such effective methods, devices, compositions, and systems, despite significant attention of the scientific community to such problems, it is clear that the development of effective methods for hydrogen identification, analysis, quantification, production, and the development of devices, systems, compositions, and methods related thereto, requires the application of inventive ingenuity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This document includes a section entitled “CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES AND DESCRIPTION OF SELECT TERMS” that readers are encouraged to consult to help properly interpret the disclosure provided in this section and elsewhere here. That section includes a list of acronyms frequently used in this disclosure.

[0008] This “Summary of the Invention” section (“Summary”) briefly describes the elements and characteristics of selected illustrative embodiment(s) of the invention. The brief summaries of such embodiments provided here are primarily intended to illustrate the nature of the invention and, accordingly, the content of this Summary is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the scope of the invention is not limited to, or by, the exemplary aspects of the inventionprovided in this section. Any of the aspects invention described in this section can be combined with any other aspect described in this or any other aspect of this disclosure.

[0009] In aspects, the technology(ies) herein provide method(s) for measuring the amount of hydrogen in a material. In aspects, such method(s) comprise obtaining an analyzable amount of a material as a sample. In aspects, such methods(s) comprise subjecting the sample to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extract one or more easily released volatile substances from the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising at least one hydrogen proxy. In aspects, such method(s) comprise collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances. In aspects, such methods comprise measuring the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy in the collected portion of the easily released volatile substances and using the measurement in a determination of the amount of hydrogen in the material.

[0010] In other respects, the technology(ies) herein provide method(s) for identifying conditions for enhanced production of highly purified hydrogen from a material. In aspects, the method(s) comprise obtaining at least one sample comprising an analyzable amount of a material comprising hydrogen and helium. In aspects, such method(s) comprise subjecting the sample to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces to extract a plurality of extracted gas aliquots from the sample, each aliquot comprising a plurality of easily released volatile substances if such easily released volatile substances are present in the sample. In aspects, the plurality of extracted easily released volatile substances comprise (i) hydrogen, a hydrogen proxy, or both hydrogen and a hydrogen proxy, and (ii) helium, and, e.g., either (1) the at least one sample comprises multiple samples, wherein a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium is extracted from at least one sample of the multiple samples than at least one other sample of the multiple samples, (2) the method comprises subjecting the at least one sample to at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprising a first gentle vacuum equivalent force that extracts a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium from the at least one sample than at least a second gentle vacuum equivalent force of the at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces, or (3) the at least one sample comprises multiple samples, wherein a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium is extracted from at least one sample of the multiple samples than at least one other sample of the multiple samples and the method comprises subjecting the at least one sample to at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprising a first gentle vacuum equivalent force that extracts a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium from the at least one sample than at least a second gentle vacuum force of the at least twodifferent gentle vacuum forces. In aspects, (s) comprise collecting at least a portion of each of the plurality of extracted gas aliquots. In aspects, the method(s) comprise obtaining measurements of (i) hydrogen, the hydrogen proxy, or both hydrogen and the hydrogen proxy, and (ii) helium, in each of the collected portions of extracted gas aliquots. In aspects, the method(s) comprise using the measurements from the collected portions of the extracted gas aliquots to identify (a) a gentle vacuum equivalent force that selectively extracts hydrogen from the material, (b) the at least one sample that is associated with the relatively higher amount of hydrogen extraction than helium extraction, or (c) both (a) and (b).

[0011] In still further respects, disclosed herein are method(s) for evaluating the hydrogen generation capacity of a material comprising obtaining a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material. In aspects, method(s) comprise contacting the material with an aqueous liquid under conditions that will result in hydrogen generation if the material is an effective hydrogen-generating material, to form a water-treated material. In aspects, method(s) comprise subjecting the water-treated material to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extract one or more easily released volatile substances from the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising hydrogen, at least one hydrogen proxy, or both. In aspects, method(s) comprise collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances. In aspects, method(s) comprise measuring the hydrogen content, hydrogen proxy content, or both the hydrogen and hydrogen proxy content of the portion in the portion. In aspects, method(s) comprise evaluating the ability of the material to generate hydrogen from the measurement or measurements obtained by the method.

[0012] In a further aspect, technology(ies) herein provide a device for the rapid analysis of hydrogen in a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material. In aspects, the device comprises a movable container comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment occupying a position among a plurality of positions, each compartment (a) comprising a separate inlet, a separate outlet, or both, and (b) being configured to receive an analyzable sample of a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material at a first position among the plurality of positions and to deliver the sample to one or more other positions of the plurality of positions. In aspects, the device comprises an extraction component positioned in effective proximity to at least one of the plurality of positions and that is configured to selectively apply one or more gentle vacuum equivalent extraction forces to extract one or more aliquots of easily extractable volatile substances from the sample of solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material received by the movable container. In aspects, the device comprises a container movement component thatcauses the movable container to move and causes the different compartments of the plurality of the compartments to be located at the plurality of positions at different times during operation of the device, the plurality of positions comprising a first position and a second position, wherein a first compartment when located in the first position is configured to receive a first sample delivered to the device at the same time that a second compartment in the second position is oriented to expose a second sample contained therein to the extraction component. In aspects, the device comprises a trap component that selectively removes water from at least a first portion of each of the one or more aliquots. In aspects, the device comprises a collection component that selectively collects a second portion of each of the one or more aliquots. In aspects, the device comprises an analytical component that analyzes the easily released volatile content of each collected second portion of the one or more aliquots and measures the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy therein. In aspects, the device comprises an output component for relaying the analysis of the analytical component to a user, a different system, or both. In aspects, the device is configured to cause the container movement component to move the movable container to cause the first compartment to be in the first position and the second compartment to be in the second position and to thereafter move each of the first compartment and second compartment to different positions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS / FIGURES

[0013] The drawings / figures provided here and the associated following brief description of figures are intended to exemplify certain aspects and principles of the invention without limiting its scope.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the technology(ies) disclosed herein, wherein the measurement of hydrogen, ammonia produced from hydrogen (and / or the consumption of nitrogen in the production of ammonia), and water produced from hydrogen (and / or the consumption of oxygen in the production of water), with calculations applied as applicable, is are combined to estimate the amount of hydrogen present at the time the sample was first collected (e.g., at the time a drill cutting reached the surface of the Earth before reacting with air).

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the technology(ies) disclosed herein, wherein distinct helium rich versus hydrogen rich zones are identified across differing strata of a geologic location, e.g., a well or borehole.

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates an of the technology(ies) disclosed herein demonstrating that the application of at least two different force(s) to a single material sample, such as differing vacuum forces, can cause the detectable or significant release of one of hydrogen or helium but not the other from the material.

[0017] Figures 4-8 illustrate an analyzer / device (analysis system) for collecting and analyzing the amount of particular gas(es) (volatile(s)) in sample(s).

[0018] Figures 9A – 9D illustrate exemplary concepts related to multi-aliquot rock volatile stratigraphy methods.

[0019] Figure 10A illustrates a first interpretation of a pattern of data obtained from the application of multi-aliquot rock volatile stratigraphy methods.

[0020] Figure 10B illustrates a second interpretation of a pattern of data obtained from the application of multi-aliquot rock volatile stratigraphy methods.

[0021] Figure 11 provides an exemplary method for determining the amount of hydrogen present in a material sample.

[0022] Figure 12 provides an exemplary method for determining the relative purity of hydrogen, helium, or both, in a material sample compared to a standard or to at least one other second material sample.

[0023] Figures 13A – 13D provide exemplary method(s) of the technology(ies) herein directed to the capture, analysis, and application of multi-aliquot rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) and the interpretation of data resulting therefrom, wherein Figures 13C and 13D provide more specific examples of the method(s) exemplified in Figures 13A and 13B, respectively.

[0024] Figure 14 provides an exemplary method of the technology(ies) herein for identifying differentiated storage of helium and hydrogen within the same material.

[0025] Figure 15 provides an exemplary method of the technology(ies) herein directed to the generation of a reference for use in, or directed directly to, the determination of optimized condition(s) for synthetic hydrogen generation.

[0026] Figure 16 provides an exemplary method of the technology(ies) herein directed to the generation of synthetic hydrogen.

[0027] Figures 17-20 provide exemplary method(s) of the technology(ies) herein directed to the determination of the amount of hydrogen present in a material sample, wherein Figure 18 is a subprocess which can be conducted as a component of the method illustrated in Figure 17; Figure 19 is a subprocess which can be conducted as a component of the method illustrated inFigure 17 and related figures; and Figure 20 subprocess which can be conducted as a component of the method illustrated in Figure 17 and related figures),

[0028] Figure 21 provides an exemplary method of the technology(ies) herein directed to protecting a hydrogen-sensitive material from exposure to hydrogen using an inert gas such as helium. LISTED EXEMPLARY ASPECTS

[0029] Disclosed here are several different but related exemplary aspects (variations) of the technology. The following is a non-limiting list of exemplary aspects of the technology, which illustrates embodiments of the technology in a summary form to aid readers in quickly understanding the overall scope of the technology. Similar to patent claims, listed aspects described in the paragraphs of this section may refer to (depend on / from) one or more other paragraphs. Readers will understand that such references mean that the features / characteristics or steps of such referenced aspects are incorporated into / combined with the referring aspect. E.g., if an aspect in a paragraph (e.g., a paragraph indicated by text at the end of the paragraph as aspect 2) refers to another aspect by one or more aspect numbers (e.g., aspect 1 or “any one of aspects 1-3”), it will be understood to include the elements, steps, or characteristics of such referenced aspects (e.g., aspect 1) in addition to those of the aspect in which the reference is made (e.g., if aspect 2 refers to aspect 1, it provides a description of a composition, method, system, device, etc., including the features of both aspect 1 and aspect 2).

[0030] Lists of aspects describing specific exemplary embodiments of the technology are sometimes employed to aid the reader in understanding the technology. Such aspects can, within them, reference other exemplary aspects, either individually or as groups of aspects (e.g., via reference to a range within a list of numbered aspects when such aspects are provided as a numbered list). Reference to ranges of aspects should be interpreted as referencing all such aspects individually, each as unique embodiments of the technology, and in combination with one another as unique embodiment(s) of the technology, according to the presentation provided of such aspects unless such an aspect within such a referenced range is either contradictory or non-sensical. If contradicted, reference to the contradictory aspect should be excluded. The term “preceding applicable aspects” used in one aspect to refer to all the lower-numbered aspects that precede it in the list means all those preceding aspects that can be sensibly combined with the content of the applicable referring aspect. In this respect, the phrase “applicable aspects” works in a manner similar to the phrase “uncontradicted,” discussed below.

[0031] It is intended that these listed aspects begin with the first listed aspect (ASPECT 1) and thereafter be numbered sequentially and incrementally by the inclusion of a reference (ASPECT 2, ASPECT, 3, etc.). Readers will recognize that in a complicated listing of aspects, however, errors can sometimes arise. In case of a missing aspect reference or repeated aspect reference, the order of placement of the actual recited aspect in the list that is associated with the repeated aspect reference or missing aspect reference will control (e.g., if there is an unlabeled aspect located between a first aspect labeled ASPECT 1 and a third aspect labeled aspect referenced as ASPECT 2, the unlabeled aspect should be treated as ASPECT 2, and the aspect labeled as ASPECT 2 treated as ASPECT 3, etc.), and all numbering in the list (including all references to aspects in the list) be interpreted as accordingly modified (e.g., if the fourth aspect in such list was labeled as ASPECT 3, it should be interpreted as being labeled as ASPECT 4, and if such aspect referred to “any one or both of aspect 1 or aspect 2,” it should be read as referring to “any one or more of aspects 1-3”). Similarly, if an aspect is misnumbered (e.g., by a number in the sequence being skipped or otherwise missing), readers will construe this list of aspects according to the order of placement of the recited aspects, over the numerical references. Further, if one or more of the listed exemplary aspects of the technology in this section fails to reference any other aspects of the technology, such aspect, uncontradicted, should be interpreted as applying to or as capable of being incorporated into, any one or more other exemplary aspect(s) provided in this section.

[0032] These listed aspects can be combined with, or further modified by, any of the other specific disclosures provided elsewhere in this document. The inclusion of headers herein is for the convenience of the reader only (e.g., in identifying aspects relating to particular applications, embodiments, etc.), and, uncontradicted, do not limit the applicability of aspects.

[0033] With this in mind, the specific listed exemplary aspects of the technology are – ASPECT 1 A method for measuring the amount of hydrogen in a material comprising (1) obtaining an analyzable amount of a material as a sample, (2) subjecting the sample to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extract one or more easily released volatile substances from the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising at least one hydrogen proxy, (3) collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances, and(4) measuring the amount of the one hydrogen proxy in the collected portion of the easily released volatile substances and using the measurement in a determination of the amount of hydrogen in the material. ASPECT 2 The method of ASPECT 1, wherein the method comprises isolating the sample by placing the sample in an enclosed environment prior to subjecting the sample to the one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces. ASPECT 3 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas. ASPECT 4 The method of any one or more of ASPECT 2 and ASPECT 3, wherein the enclosed environment is a container. ASPECT 5 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects wherein the gas comprises, mostly comprises, generally consists of, substantially consists of, consists essentially of, or is air. ASPECT 6 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects wherein the gas comprises, mostly comprises, generally consists of, substantially consists of, consists essentially of, a noble gas, such as argon, or a mixture of noble gases. ASPECT 7 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprises at least one application of a gentle vacuum pressure. ASPECT 8 The method of ASPECT 8, wherein the enclosed environment is a container that comprises a needle-puncturable seal component. ASPECT 9 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises analyzing the amount of hydrogen in the sample and using both the amount of hydrogen and the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy to quantify the hydrogen in the material. ASPECT 10The method of any one or more of the aspects wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises ammonia. ASPECT 11 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is mostly, generally, substantially, essentially, or entirely air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment. ASPECT 12 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises an ammonia proxy. ASPECT 13 The method of 9, wherein the ammonia proxy comprises nitrogen, and wherein the method comprises using the quantity of air in the enclosed environment to determine the amount of ammonia produced from hydrogen in the sample prior to isolating the sample. ASPECT 14 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises a water proxy. ASPECT 15 The method of ASPECT 14, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment; the water proxy is oxygen; and wherein the method comprises using the quantity of air in the enclosed environment to determine the amount of water produced from hydrogen in the sample prior to isolating the sample. ASPECT 16 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises ammonia or an ammonia proxy and water or a water proxy, and the quantity of hydrogen in the material is determined by adding an amount of hydrogen lost to ammonia production as determined at least in part by the measurement of the ammonia or the ammonia proxy; an amount of hydrogen lost to water production as determined at least in part by the measurement of the water or the water proxy; and the hydrogen directly measured in the material. ASPECT 17The method of any one or more of the aspects wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment. ASPECT 18 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises removing water from the sample, the easily released volatile substances, or both, prior to or concurrently with collecting the portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances comprising the at least one hydrogen proxy. ASPECT 19 The method of 15, wherein the removal of water from the sample, the easily released volatile substances, or both, is performed by, i.a., subjecting the easily released volatile substances to a media that selectively traps a portion of the easily released volatile substances that (1) comprises water, (2) does not comprise all of the very small volatile substances in the easily released volatile substances, and (3) does not comprise the at least one hydrogen proxy. ASPECT 20 The method of 16, wherein the removal of water from the sample, the easily released volatile substances, or both, is performed by contacting the easily released volatile substances with a cryogenic trap such that the trapped portion of the easily released volatile substances condenses to the cryogenic trap and the collected portion of the easily released volatile substances comprising the at least one hydrogen proxy does not condense to the cryogenic trap. ASPECT 21 The method of ASPECT 18, wherein the removal of water from the sample is performed by contacting the sample, the easily released volatile substances, or both, with a desiccant (e.g., calcium, gypsum, or a combination thereof) or with an equivalently or better means for water removal. ASPECT 22 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the determination of the amount of hydrogen comprises using an atom compound presence factor to assess the amount of hydrogen originally contained in the sample. ASPECT 23 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises collecting multiple samples from different parts of a geologic unit and separatelysubjecting each of the samples to the other the method to generate a map of hydrogen amounts present in the different parts of the geologic unit. ASPECT 24 The method of 19, wherein the multiple samples comprise a plurality of one or more drill cuttings, mud sample(s), core sample(s), or a combination of any or all thereof. ASPECT 25 The method of any one of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises comparing the quantity of hydrogen measured in the one or more easily released volatile substances to the quantity of helium measured in the one or more easily released volatile substances. ASPECT 26 The method of 21, wherein the method comprises analyzing a plurality of samples from different parts of a geologic unit, determining the amount of hydrogen and the amount of helium in the plurality of samples, and identifying one or more areas of high hydrogen content; one or more areas of high helium content; one or more areas of high hydrogen content and low helium content; one or more areas of high helium content and low hydrogen content; or any combination thereof in the geologic unit. ASPECT 27 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises subjecting one or more samples to different volatile extraction conditions, wherein one of the different volatile extraction conditions results in the extraction of a significantly greater amount of hydrogen than helium and a different one of the different volatile extraction conditions results in extraction of a significantly greater amount of helium than hydrogen. ASPECT 28 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the application of one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprises subjecting the sample to at least two separate applications of gentle vacuum pressure, the at least two separate applications of gentle vacuum pressure comprising a first vacuum having a first pressure applied for a first time period and a second vacuum having either the first pressure or a pressure that is substantially the same pressure as the first pressure applied for a second period, wherein the second period is substantially longer than the first period, and, wherein the first vacuum and the second vacuum extract different amounts of hydrogen from the sample. ASPECT 29The method of 24, wherein the at least two applications of gentle vacuum pressure further comprise a third vacuum having a second pressure applied for a third period and a fourth vacuum having either the second pressure or a that is substantially the same pressure as the second pressure applied for a fourth period, wherein the fourth period is substantially longer than the third period, and, wherein at least one of the first vacuum, second vacuum, third vacuum, and fourth vacuum extracts different amounts of hydrogen from the sample. ASPECT 30 A method for identifying conditions for enhanced production of highly purified hydrogen from a material comprising (1) obtaining at least one sample comprising an analyzable amount of a material comprising hydrogen and helium, (2) subjecting the sample to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces to extract a plurality of extracted gas aliquots from the sample, each aliquot comprising a plurality of easily released volatile substances if such easily released volatile substances are present in the sample, wherein (3) the plurality of extracted easily released volatile substances comprise (i) hydrogen, a hydrogen proxy, or both hydrogen and a hydrogen proxy, and (ii) helium, and (4) either (a) the at least one sample comprises multiple samples, wherein a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium is extracted from at least one sample of the multiple samples than at least one other sample of the multiple samples, (b) the method comprises subjecting the at least one sample to at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprising a first gentle vacuum equivalent force that extracts a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium from the at least one sample than at least a second gentle vacuum equivalent force of the at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces, or (c) the at least one sample comprises multiple samples, wherein a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium is extracted from at least one sample of the multiple samples than at least one other sample of the multiple samples and the method comprises subjecting the at least one sample to at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprising a first gentle vacuum equivalent force that extracts a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium from the at least one sample than at least a second gentle vacuum force of the at least two different gentle vacuum forces,(5) collecting at least a portion of the plurality of extracted gas aliquots, and (6) obtaining measurements of (i) hydrogen, the hydrogen proxy, or both hydrogen and the hydrogen proxy, and (ii) helium, in each of the collected portions of extracted gas aliquots, and (7) using the measurements from the collected portions of the extracted gas aliquots to identify (a) a gentle vacuum equivalent force that selectively extracts hydrogen from the material, (b) the at least one sample that is associated with the relatively higher amount of hydrogen extraction than helium extraction, or (c) both (a) and (b). ASPECT 31 The method of 26, wherein the at least one sample comprises multiple samples, wherein a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium is extracted from at least one sample of the multiple samples than at least one other sample of the multiple samples, and the measurements are used to identify the at least one sample that is associated with the relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium. ASPECT 32 The method of ASPECT 29 or 27, wherein the samples are obtained from a geologic unit, and the method comprises identifying separated areas of relatively high helium concentration and relatively high hydrogen concentration in the geologic unit. ASPECT 33 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises subjecting the at least one sample to at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprising a first gentle vacuum equivalent force that extracts a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium from the at least one sample than at least a second gentle vacuum force of the at least two different gentle vacuum forces and the measurements are used to identify a gentle vacuum equivalent force that selectively extracts hydrogen from the material. ASPECT 34 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the first gentle vacuum equivalent force and the second gentle vacuum equivalent force each comprise gentle vacuum pressures. ASPECT 35 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the first gentle vacuum equivalent force and the second gentle vacuum equivalent force differ in terms of the duration of the gentle vacuum force application to the sample.ASPECT 36 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the first gentle vacuum equivalent force and the second gentle vacuum equivalent forces differ according to the strength of the vacuum pressure applied to the sample. ASPECT 37 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the material comprises a sample (i.e., one or more samples) of the material (uncontradicted, in this and other aspects a sample may include one or several separate pieces of material – e.g., rocks or cuttings). ASPECT 38 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises isolating the sample by placing the sample in an enclosed environment prior to subjecting the sample to the one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces. ASPECT 39 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas. ASPECT 40 The method of any one or more of 0 and ASPECT 39, wherein the enclosed environment that the material / sample is placed in before extracting the easily released volatile substances is a container. ASPECT 41 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects wherein the gas in contact with the sample / material, if applicable, comprises, mostly comprises, generally consists of, substantially consists of, consists essentially of, or is air. ASPECT 42 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects wherein the gas in contact with the sample / material, if applicable, comprises, mostly comprises, generally consists of, substantially consists of, consists essentially of, a noble gas, such as argon, or a mixture of noble gases. ASPECT 43 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprises at least one application of a gentle vacuum pressure. ASPECT 44The method of ASPECT 43, wherein the environment that the easily released volatile substances are extracted from the material / sample in is a container that comprises a needle- puncturable seal component, e.g., where a needle of a device can puncture the container and extract easily released volatile substances in the container after the application of a gentle vacuum equivalent force on the material / sample in the container. ASPECT 45 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises analyzing the amount of hydrogen in the material by measuring the amount of at least one hydrogen proxy in the material / easily released volatile substances. ASPECT 46 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises analyzing the amount of hydrogen in the sample and using both the amount of hydrogen and the amount of at least one hydrogen proxy to quantify the hydrogen in the material. ASPECT 47 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects wherein at least one hydrogen proxy used to measure the amount of hydrogen in the material comprises ammonia. ASPECT 48 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is mostly, generally, substantially, essentially, or entirely air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment. ASPECT 49 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises an ammonia proxy. ASPECT 50 The method of ASPECT 49, wherein the ammonia proxy comprises nitrogen, and wherein the method comprises using the quantity of air in the enclosed environment to determine the amount of ammonia produced from hydrogen in the sample prior to isolating the sample. ASPECT 51 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises a water proxy. ASPECT 52The method of ASPECT 51, wherein the isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment; the water proxy is oxygen; and wherein the method comprises using the quantity of air in the enclosed environment to determine the amount of water produced from hydrogen in the sample prior to isolating the sample. ASPECT 53 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises ammonia or an ammonia proxy and water or a water proxy, and the quantity of hydrogen in the material is determined by adding an amount of hydrogen lost to ammonia production as determined at least in part by the measurement of the ammonia or the ammonia proxy; an amount of hydrogen lost to water production as determined at least in part by the measurement of the water or the water proxy; and the hydrogen directly measured in the material. ASPECT 54 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment. ASPECT 55 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises removing water from the material / sample, the easily released volatile substances, or both, prior to or concurrently with collecting the portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances. ASPECT 56 The method of ASPECT 55, wherein the removal of water from the sample, the easily released volatile substances, or both, is performed by subjecting the easily released volatile substances to a media that selectively traps a portion of the easily released volatile substances that (1) comprises water, (2) does not comprise all of the very small volatile substances in the easily released volatile substances, and (3) does not comprise at least one hydrogen proxy. ASPECT 57 The method of ASPECT 55 or ASPECT 56, wherein the removal of water from the sample is performed by contacting the easily released volatile substances with a cryogenic trap such that the trapped portion of the easily released volatile substances condenses to the cryogenic trap andthe collected portion of the easily released substances comprising the at least one hydrogen proxy does not condense to the cryogenic trap. ASPECT 58 The method of ASPECT 55, wherein the removal of water from the sample is performed by contacting the sample, the easily released volatile substances, or both, with a desiccant (e.g., calcium, gypsum, or a combination thereof) or with an equivalently or better means for water removal. ASPECT 59 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the determination of the amount of hydrogen comprises using an atom compound presence factor to assess the amount of hydrogen originally contained in the sample. ASPECT 60 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises collecting / obtaining (uncontradicted, such terms / elements being SWOSB in this or any other aspect of the technology described herein) multiple samples from different parts of a geologic unit and separately subjecting each of the samples to the other steps of the method to generate a map of hydrogen amounts present in the different parts of the geologic unit. Here, the acronym “ARTA” means “also referred to as,” and the acronym “SWOSB” means “substitutable with or supplemented by.” ASPECT 61 The method of 19, wherein the multiple samples comprise a plurality of one or more drill cuttings, mud sample(s), core sample(s), or a combination of any or all thereof. ASPECT 62 The method of any one of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises comparing the quantity of hydrogen measured in the one or more easily released volatile substances to the quantity of helium measured in the one or more easily released volatile substances. ASPECT 63 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises analyzing a plurality of samples from different parts of a geologic unit, determining the amount of hydrogen and the amount of helium in the plurality of samples, and identifying one or more areas of high hydrogen content; one or more areas of high helium content; one ormore areas of high hydrogen content and content; one or more areas of high helium content and low hydrogen content; or any combination thereof in the geologic unit. ASPECT 64 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the method comprises subjecting one or more samples / material to different volatile extraction conditions, wherein one of the different volatile extraction conditions results in the extraction of a significantly greater amount of hydrogen than helium and a different one of the different volatile extraction conditions results in extraction of a detectably, sizably, or significantly greater amount of helium than hydrogen (uncontradicted, each such term in any aspect here is SWOSB the other terms (e.g., detectably is SWOSB significantly and vice versa)). ASPECT 65 The method of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the application of one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprises subjecting the sample to at least two separate applications of gentle vacuum pressure, the at least two separate applications of gentle vacuum pressure comprising a first vacuum having a first pressure applied for a first time period and a second vacuum having either the first pressure or a pressure that is substantially the same pressure as the first pressure applied for a second period, wherein the second period is substantially longer than the first period, and, wherein the first vacuum and the second vacuum extract different amounts of hydrogen from the sample. ASPECT 66 The method of ASPECT 65, wherein the at least two separate applications of gentle vacuum pressure further comprise a third vacuum having a second pressure applied for a third period and a fourth vacuum having either the second pressure or a that is substantially the same pressure as the second pressure applied for a fourth period, wherein the fourth period is substantially longer than the third period, and, wherein at least one of the first vacuum, second vacuum, third vacuum, and fourth vacuum extracts different amounts of hydrogen from the sample. ASPECT 67 A method for evaluating the hydrogen generation capacity of a material comprising (1) obtaining a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material, (2) contacting the material with an aqueous liquid under conditions that will result in hydrogen generation if the material is an effective hydrogen-generating material, to form a water-treated material,(3) subjecting the water-treated to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extract one or more easily released volatile substances from the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising hydrogen, at least one hydrogen proxy, or both, (4) collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances, (5) measuring the hydrogen content, hydrogen proxy content, or both the hydrogen and hydrogen proxy content of the portion in the portion, and (6) evaluating the ability of the material to generate hydrogen from the measurement or measurements obtained from step 33(5). ASPECT 68 The method of ASPECT 67, wherein the material is a sample of a geologic material obtained from a geologic unit. ASPECT 69 The method of 34, wherein the material comprises a rock material comprising ferrous oxide. ASPECT 70 The method of 35, wherein the method further comprises (1) obtaining a plurality of compositionally similar samples of the material and (b) contacting each sample of the plurality of compositionally similar samples with an aqueous substance selected from at least two different aqueous substances, wherein the at least two different aqueous substances differ in one or more physiochemical properties, and wherein the method is used to further evaluate the impact of using the different aqueous substances on the generation of hydrogen from the material. ASPECT 71 The method of 36, wherein the at least two different aqueous substances differ in salinity, dissolved solids, pH, Eh (oxidation-reduction potential), or a combination of any or all thereof. ASPECT 72 The method of 35, wherein the method further comprises (1) obtaining a plurality of compositionally similar samples of the material and (b) contacting each sample of the plurality of compositionally similar samples with an aqueous substance under different environmental conditions, and wherein the method is used to further evaluate the impact of the different environmental conditions on the generation of hydrogen from the material. ASPECT 73The method of 38, wherein the different comprise application of different mechanical stresses, different temperature conditions, different pressure conditions, or a combination of any or all thereof. ASPECT 74 The method of 35, wherein the method further comprises evaluating the material’s ability to efficiently sequester carbon, sulfur, or both. ASPECT 75 The method of 40, wherein the evaluation of the material’s ability to effectively sequester carbon, sulfur, or both comprises application of x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), or equivalent means for identifying material chemistry, and using the results thereof to compare against empirical data in evaluating the material’s ability to effectively sequester carbon, sulfur, or both. ASPECT 76 A method of generating hydrogen from a material comprising (1) contacting a material identified as an effective hydrogen-generating material using the method of any one or more of aspects 33 - 41 under conditions that are effective for the generation of hydrogen from the material and (2) collecting at least a portion of the generated hydrogen. ASPECT 77 A device for the rapid analysis of hydrogen in a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material, comprising (1) a movable container comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment occupying a position among a plurality of positions, each compartment (a) comprising a separate inlet, a separate outlet, or both, and (b) being configured to receive an analyzable sample of a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material at a first position among the plurality of positions and to deliver the sample to one or more other positions of the plurality of positions, (2) an extraction component positioned in effective proximity to at least one of the plurality of positions and that is configured to selectively apply one or more gentle vacuum equivalent extraction forces to extract one or more aliquots of easily extractable volatile substances from the sample of solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material received by the movable container, (3) a container movement component that causes the movable container to move and thereby causes the different compartments of the plurality of the compartments to be locatedat the plurality of positions at different operation of the device, the plurality of positions comprising a first position and a second position, wherein a first compartment when located in the first position is configured to receive a first sample delivered to the device at the same time that a second compartment in the second position is oriented to expose a second sample contained therein to the extraction component, (4) a trap component that selectively removes water from at least a first portion of each of the one or more aliquots, (5) a collection component that selectively collects a second portion of each of the one or more aliquots, (6) an analytical component that analyzes the easily released volatile content of each collected second portion of the one or more aliquots and measures the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy therein, and (7) an output component for relaying the analysis of the analytical component to a user, a different system, or both, wherein (8) the device is configured to cause the container movement component to move the movable container to cause the first compartment to be in the first position and the second compartment to be in the second position and to thereafter move each of the first compartment and second compartment to different positions. ASPECT 78 The device of 43, wherein the moveable container is a rotational container that is configured to gravitationally receive the first sample when delivered to the device and to gravitationally deposit the second sample in a location where the second sample can be subjected to the extraction component. ASPECT 79 The device of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the device comprises a disposal component that is configured to remove a sample from the device and dispose of such sample after the sample has been exposed to the extraction component, and wherein the disposal component is configured to automatically discard the sample after the extraction component ceases operating on the sample, and, in operation, the disposal of a third sample occurs within 0-60 seconds from the time that the second sample is delivered to second position. ASPECT 80The device of 45, wherein the disposal of sample occurs within 0-15 seconds (e.g., 0- 10 seconds, 0-8 seconds, 0-6 seconds, 0-4 seconds, 0.001-5 seconds, 0.01-3.5 seconds, etc.) from the time that the second sample is delivered to second position. ASPECT 81 The device of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the trap component comprises a cryogenic trap (e.g., a liquid nitrogen cryogenic trap). ASPECT 82 The device of 47, wherein the cryogenic trap is not associated with any heating element, the device comprises a trapped gas disposal component, or both. Related method aspects of this technology can comprise discarding a cryogenically trapped portion of extracted easily released volatile substances prior to collection and analysis of the other portion. ASPECT 83 The device of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein (1) the device comprises a flow path between the extraction component and the analytical component and is configured such that each of the one or more aliquots flow from the extraction component to the trap component, the second portion flows from the area of the device comprising the trap component to the collection component, and subsequently to the analytical component and (2) the device comprises a plurality of valves or valve equivalents that permit selective isolation, conditional automatic isolation, or both, of the extraction component, the trap component, the collection component, the analytical component, or a combination of some or all thereof. ASPECT 84 The device of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the device comprises a selectively operable, conditionally automatically operable, or selectively and conditionally automatically operable vacuum system that is positioned downstream of the analytical component, such that the vacuum system applies a vacuum force that draws an aliquot or portion of the aliquot through the flow path from the direction of the extraction component to the analytical component. ASPECT 85 The device of any one or more of the preceding applicable aspects, wherein the collection component is adapted such that the second portion comprises at least one hydrogen proxy if present in the sample. ASPECT 86A method of reducing hydrogen-material comprising (1) contacting a hydrogen- reactive material with an effective amount of helium, (2) allowing the helium to develop a protective association with the hydrogen-reactive material, and (3) removing excess helium from the material. ASPECT 87 The method of 52, wherein the step of developing a protective association between the helium and the hydrogen-reactive material comprises placing the material in a pressure chamber and exposing the material to a pressure that significantly increases the efficacy of the association, speed of the association, or efficacy and speed of the association of the helium and the hydrogen- reactive material. ASPECT 88 The method of 53, wherein the material comprises iron, steel, or both. ASPECT 89 A method of evaluating the ability of helium to block hydrogen-material interactions comprising (1) contacting a hydrogen-reactive material with an effective amount of helium, (2) allowing the helium to remain in contact with the hydrogen-reactive material under contact conditions for a contact period, (3) removing excess helium from the material, (4) contacting the helium-treated material with hydrogen, and (5) evaluating the ability of the material to resist / block hydrogen interactions. ASPECT 90 The method of ASPECT 89, wherein the method comprises testing a number of contact conditions, a number of contact periods, or both, for any material or samples of any material, and selecting the contact conditions, contact periods, or both, which result in a desired amount of hydrogen blocking in the material / sample. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] For convenience, both combinations of elements / steps and individual elements / steps may be described in this section of this disclosure. Despite the inclusion of passages focused on specific elements / steps, any aspect, facet, embodiment, or other description of particular step(s) or element(s) can be applied to any general description of the compositions / methods of the invention, or any other recited element(s) / step(s) thereof, which are provided in any part of this disclosure. Limited General / Common Concepts and Elements

[0035] This disclosure introduces a of related novel concepts. In an attempt to aid the reader, some concepts are presented in section(s). However, it should be understood that uncontradicted, one, some, most, generally all, substantially all, essentially all, or all element(s) of such concept(s), e.g., step(s) of method(s), material(s), volatile(s), equipment, teaching(s), interpretation(s), and the like can be applied to other related concepts. In aspects, disclosure in any one section, uncontradicted, can in aspects be applied to and incorporated with the disclosure in one, some, most, generally all, substantially all, essentially all, or all other section(s).

[0036] Typically, herein a material sample is a measurable amount of a sample which occupies a unit of volume. The sample typically contains mostly solid. Exemplary material samples can be, e.g., core samples, drill cuttings samples, or combinations there. However, it may also contain liquids, for example drilling mud, or gas, e.g., hydrogen or helium or both liquids and gases that are associated with the solid in any amount or volumetric percentage of the total volume of the sample. The sample may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

[0037] Rock materials can be interpreted to encompass disclosure other solid material sample(s) as suitable for use in the methods described herein. In aspects, a solid material can be, e.g., a rock material. In aspects, a rock material can be drill cuttings. Herein, specific reference to cuttings can be, uncontradicted, be interpreted to encompass disclosure of other rock material(s) (such as, e.g., core sample(s), or, e.g., other solid materials as suitable for use in methods described herein.

[0038] In aspects material samples, such as, e.g., as a geologic material, such as a drill cuttings, can be, e.g., a collection of drill cuttings, such as at least 20, at least 30, at least 50, at least 75, or at least 100 cuttings, such as about 25-500, about 50-500, about 75-600, about 80- 400, about 75-300, about 50-350, about 40-400, about 40-800, about 60-360, about 100-500, about 100-1000, about 50-1000, about 35-700, or about 35-350 cuttings.

[0039] Technology(ies) previously developed and previously patented (in the Prior Smith Patents) provides the capability to analyze volatiles in drill cuttings, core, or any other solids or fluids that are hermetically sealed at the well as soon as possible to when the cuttings or other solids or fluids of interest arrive at the surface on a drill rig.

[0040] Some materials, e.g., geologic materials, e.g., drill cuttings, core samples, other solid materials, or drilling muds, contain hydrogen. Upon sealing in the sample container, hydrogen evolving from the geologic materials can react with the nitrogen in the air to make ammonia, and hydrogen evolved from the sample can also react with oxygen to make water. In certain aspects, materials, e.g., material samples, can be, e.g., drilling muds.

[0041] In aspects, technology(ies) the differential storage of hydrogen and helium, identifying that hydrogen and helium may be differentially stored within different geological locations in close physical proximity to each other. Alternatively, hydrogen and helium may be differentially stored within the same material within the same geologic location. Such differential storage may be accomplished by the hydrogen and helium selectively being associated with different structures within the material, e.g., crystal lattice(s) pores, cracks, fissures, inclusion, liquids, e.g., water or hydrocarbons or the hydrogen and helium may be differentially chemically-associated with different minerals or compounds within a material. As such, in aspects, materials herein comprise hydrogen and helium wherein each of the hydrogen and helium are differentially stored and can be selectively removed from the rock material by application of different extraction states. Extraction states are described elsewhere herein but are characterized as, e.g., an extraction force, a strength of extraction force, and a time of application of the extraction force.

[0042] In aspects, material samples herein are hydrogen-rich. In aspects, a hydrogen-rich material is a material having a concentration of hydrogen that is greater than the concentration of hydrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere or having a purity of hydrogen that is greater than the purity of hydrogen in the atmosphere or both the concentration and purity of the hydrogen are greater than the concentration and purity in the Earth’s atmosphere. Such concentration of hydrogen may be greater than previously believed achievable based on the pressure, temperature and volume of cracks, inclusions or liquids in the location. Additionally, the purity of the hydrogen as a percentage of other gases from the same entity may be greater than 50%, greater than 75%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, greater than 99.8% or almost 100% when measured at standard temperature, 30 degrees Celsius, and pressure, 1 atmosphere.

[0043] In aspects, material samples herein are hydrogen-poor. In aspects, a hydrogen- poor material is a material having a concentration of hydrogen that is less than the concentration of hydrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere or having a purity of hydrogen that is less than the purity of hydrogen in the atmosphere or both the concentration and purity of the hydrogen are less than the concentration and purity in the Earth’s atmosphere.

[0044] Typically herein, solid or semi-solid material samples, e.g., cuttings, (or, e.g., fluid sample(s) as applicable) can be hermetically sealed, usually promptly following collection, e.g., within less than about one day, less than about 4 hours, less than about 1 hour, less than about 20 minutes, less than about 10 minutes, less than about 5 minutes, less than about 1 minute, or less than 15 seconds, to avoid loss of compounds.

[0045] Cuttings, core samples, other or fluids, each sealed at the well or borehole, for example, can be hermetically sealed in specially designed sample containers, with open head space above the cuttings, core samples, other solids or fluids in the sealed container. The open head space above the cuttings, core samples, other solids or fluids allows the introduction of a needle through a sealing cap to extract volatiles from the cuttings, core samples, other solids or fluids for analyses using our previously patented base technology. When a cuttings sample, core samples, other solids or fluids are hermetically sealed in a sample tube, the head space normally contains ambient air. However, the head space may optionally be purged with an inert heavier than air gas, such as argon, krypton, or xenon prior to the sample being sealed hermetically.

[0046] In certain aspects, The method of any one or more or all of the preceding aspects, wherein the method comprises applying at least two different forces (resulting in measurably different substances) to generate two different analyzed aliquots for the materials, such as an aliquot produced by applying a pressure of about 20 millibars and a second aliquot produced by applying a pressure of about 2 millibars, each to the same material(s) / sample(s), e.g., in accordance with the teachings of the Prior Smith Patents.

[0047] Volatiles referred to herein are gases that can be removed, e.g., selectively removed by application of one or more extraction forces, from material samples. Volatiles may exist as gases residing within the material sample at standard atmospheric pressure and temperature. Volatiles may exist as liquids or solids at standard atmospheric temperature and pressure but be convertible to a gas by application of a vacuum to the material sample or by application of increased temperature to the material sample or both application of a vacuum and increased temperature. On occasions, volatiles may be created by both an increase in temperature and increase in pressure applied to a material sample. In the present invention, volatiles may be extracted from the material sample to be eliminated, such as water vapor or certain hydrocarbons, or to be analyzed. Volatile(s) can be condensable or non-condensable.

[0048] According to aspects, volatile(s) herein are characterized as easily released volatile substances. In aspects, easily released volatile substances are substances capable of being extracted at gentle vacuum extraction pressure(s). Easily released volatile substances do not require any specific gentle vacuum pressure for their release.

[0049] In aspects, the results of analyses herein, alone or in combination with other results from one or more additional methods, e.g., gas chromatography, flame ionization detection, Raman spectrometry, capacitance manometry, material strength or a combination of any two or more of such methods can provide information about whether a material or a locationwithin the Earth contains a target resource, and, e.g., if so, how much hydrogen and at what level of purity. In aspects, the results of such analyses can be used to determine whether or not hydrogen can be produced, extracted, in a cost-effective manner to provide an energy source that does not result in harmful waste products, its only waste product being water.

[0050] In aspects, a material / sample is isolated from potentially interfering elements (e.g., by placing the material in a container), but in a manner that provides for volatile substances associated with the material to react in the isolated environment (e.g., by placing sample(s) in a container that contains “headspace” or an open volume / void space that can contain volatile substances and associated gas (e.g., atmospheric air from the environment) permitting any reactive volatile substances, particularly hydrogen compounds, to chemically react with other reactive compounds if present, e.g., oxygen and nitrogen present in ambient atmospheric air). In aspects, the materials / sample or the headspace / open volume / void space or both the materials / sample and the headspace / open volume / void space are isolated from interfering elements by a sealing component in direct connection with an opening in the container. In aspects, the sealing component is a plug, cap, stopper, or similar component. In other aspects, the sealing component is achieved by the direct connection with an opening in the container and a device / system where the analysis is to be performed. The method comprises the collection of gas or one or more volatile substance(s) from the isolated environment / container and an analysis thereof. The analysis can comprise a comparison of the gas or one or more volatile substances to another gas / other gases, e.g., the atmospheric air or one or more volatile substances. The analysis can comprise analyzing a change in one or more substances in the gas. Quantification of Hydrogen in Materials Generally

[0051] According to aspects, technology(ies) herein are directed to the quantification of hydrogen in material(s), such as, e.g., geologic material(s), such as, e.g., subterranean geologic material(s). Geologic hydrogen is an important part of the ongoing global energy transition and, e.g., is relevant to the reduction of greenhouse gases. The accurate estimation of total original hydrogen in geologic materials is of great importance as it relates to the estimation of the size of a location of geologic hydrogen resource(s) in the subsurface. Accordingly, while the quantification of hydrogen in material(s) is relevant to any hydrogen-containing material(s),method(s) of hydrogen quantification and, e.g., application of the same may be particularly useful in geological resource-related endeavors.

[0052] In aspects technology(ies) herein provide sufficiently accurate quantification of hydrogen in material(s), by way of effective analysis of sample(s) thereof, such that technology(ies) herein provide actionable data related to the hydrogen content of analyzed material(s). In aspects, actionable data include data relevant to the identification of hydrogen-rich location(s), hydrogen generation, hydrogen production, hydrogen quantification, and hydrogen purity. In specific aspects, this disclosure provides method(s) for the quantification of hydrogen in geologic material(s) comprising consideration of at least one or more substance(s) in addition to hydrogen itself and which provide detectably or significantly more accurate hydrogen quantification result(s) than the direct measurement of hydrogen alone. In specific aspects, this disclosure provides method(s) for the quantification of hydrogen in geologic material(s) comprising consideration of at least one or more substance(s) in addition to hydrogen itself and which provide data for use in directing resource production related endeavor(s), such as, e.g., hydrogen production-related endeavor(s).

[0053] In one specific aspect, technology(ies) herein provide method(s) of identifying the amount of hydrogen present in a material (e.g., a sample thereof), the amount of hydrogen identified being the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample at the time of its collection. Herein, uncontradicted, use of the word “sample(s)” or “material” or “material sample(s)” can be used interchangeably, such as, e.g., when discussing method(s) comprising analysis of “samples” of a material or “material sample(s)”, such method(s) can be also or alternatively applied to method(s) comprising analysis of a “material” directly rather than a “sample” thereof.

[0054] In aspects, the quantity of hydrogen identified by method(s) herein sufficiently represents the true amount of hydrogen in a material such that the quantitation of hydrogen by method(s) herein can be relied upon in hydrogen-related endeavor(s) such as, e.g., hydrogen exploration, location, generation, and production.

[0055] In aspects, method(s) comprise sealing material sample(s) upon their collection; applying rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) to the material sample(s) comprising the measurement of a plurality of substances released from the material sample wherein the plurality of substances comprises one or more of hydrogen, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, ammonia, or water; and performing one or more calculation(s) utilizing the results of the measurement of one or more non-hydrogen substances, wherein the result(s) of calculation(s) can be used in quantifyingthe hydrogen whereby the accuracy of the of hydrogen is DOS increased compared to the quantitation of hydrogen obtained when such calculation(s) are not applied.

[0056] In certain respects, as discussed in greater detail elsewhere herein, the quantification of hydrogen of this disclosure comprises, e.g., directly measuring the amount of hydrogen associated with a sample as analyzed hydrogen, in combination with calculated amount(s) of hydrogen lost due to ammonia production, hydrogen lost due to water production, or both. Material(s) & Sample Collection

[0057] According to aspect(s), quantification of hydrogen described herein can be applied to any hydrogen-containing material. In certain aspects, the hydrogen-containing material is a material in which hydrogen at least detectably or significantly present with or associated with the material under typical circumstances but which may DOS separate from, e.g., leave, the material upon contact with atmospheric air. In certain respects, method(s) herein comprise analysis of such material(s) directly, while in common aspects, method(s) herein comprise analysis of sample(s) of such material(s). In aspects, materials which can be the target of hydrogen quantification as described herein are material(s) which are typically, e.g., which are at least mostly, at least generally, at least substantially, at least essentially, or is protected from detectable or significant contact with atmospheric air under typical circumstances.

[0058] In aspects, the material is a sample of a geologic material, e.g., a subterranean geologic material, e.g., a rock material (such as a subterranean rock material). In certain aspects, materials are associated with geologic resource exploration, such as, e.g., drilling operation(s). In aspects, material(s) are core sample(s), drill cutting(s), drilling mud(s), or combination(s) thereof.

[0059] In aspects, a material sample is a material comprising a solid, a liquid, a gas, or a combination of any two or more thereof. In aspect the material sample comprises a liquid that has been in contact with a subterranean surface. In aspects, the liquid is a drilling mud. In aspect, the material sample comprises a gas associated with the material sample. According to aspects, the gas is chemically associated with the material sample. In aspects, the gas comprises hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium. In aspects, the gas is physically associated with the material sample. In aspects, the gas resides in cracks, pores, crystal lattice, or the like of the material sample. In aspects, gas(es) analyzed for this or other embodiment(s) of technology(ies) disclosed herein comprise hydrogen, helium, or both.

[0060] In certain aspects, material can comprise water. In aspects, some, most, generally all, substantially all, essentially all, or all detectable or significant amount(s) of water present in material(s) is removed prior to the analysis of substance(s) described herein associated with hydrogen quantitation. According to aspects, hydrogen quantitation herein comprises the analysis of a water-free or substantially water-free or essentially water-free non-condensable gas (e.g., that does not condense to a cryogenic trap when applying methods according to the Prior Smith Patents) that is analyzable by providing that water-free gas directly into an analyzer, such as, for example a mass spectrometer.

[0061] According to aspects, method(s) of determining the amount of hydrogen in a material described herein is applied to a collection of multiple samples from different parts of a geologic unit and separately subjecting each of the samples to step(s) of the method(s) to generate a map of hydrogen amounts present in the different parts of the geologic unit. In aspects, the multiple samples comprise a plurality of a drill cutting, a mud sample, a core sample, or a combination of any or all thereof. Sealed Samples

[0062] It is well appreciated that hydrogen is a very light, volatile element and is both at risk of simply escaping a material or also or alternatively reacting with one or more other element(s) or compound(s) to form new compound(s). As such, in aspects, quantitation of hydrogen herein comprises sealing sample(s) for hydrogen quantitation in an airtight container, e.g., hermetically sealing, sample(s), upon their collection and prior to their analysis.

[0063] If the material sample, e.g., a geologic material sample, subject to hydrogen quantitation is not hermetically sealed upon collection, e.g., is not sealed at the well from which it is collected, estimation of the amounts of hydrogen lost from the geologic material sample through reactions with nitrogen and oxygen in air that produces ammonia and water is somewhat futile and thus inaccurate hydrogen quantitation results, as ammonia and water are volatile substances and as such will to a great extent dissipate away from the unsealed geologic material sample. Further, many sources of water exist in nature and many sources of water are utilized or are otherwise involved with geologic material handling, making direct water analyses on unsealed geologic materials of little or no use in estimating original hydrogen in geologic material samples at the time of their capture. Still further, hydrogen is extremely volatile and will dissipate away from unsealed geologic material samples.

[0064] In aspects, sample(s) upon collection sealed in suitable airtight container(s). In aspects, container(s) are any suitable hermetically sealed containers. In aspects, container(s) cancomprise, one, some, most, generally all, all, essentially all, all, or can be the containers described in prior US patent application number 18 / 433,409 to Smith (the inventor of the present Application), and patent application(s) related thereto. According to aspects, a suitable container comprises one or more components which are collapsable. In aspects the container is not chemically reactive with one or more gases such as, e.g., hydrogen, oxygen, ammonia, nitrogen, or argon. In aspects, the container comprises one or more rubber materials, one or more plastic materials, one or more metal materials, or a combination of any or all thereof. In certain aspects, a suitable container can be a bag. Also or alternatively, in aspects a container comprises copper alloys, aluminum, or aluminum alloys such as, e.g., brass. In aspects, the container is a hollow cylinder, wherein one end of the hollow cylinder is enclosed prior to the addition of the material sample. In aspects, sealing of the container affixes a sealing component onto the container. In aspects, sealing component is not reactive with one or more gases such as, e.g., hydrogen, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, and ammonia

[0065] In one example, suitable sample container(s) comprise, for example, a hollow brass cylinder. In aspects, the hollow brass cylinder is sealed at one end before the sample or material is introduced into the cylinder. In aspects, sealing is achieved by a sealing component, for example a silicone plug. In aspects container(s) and, e.g., sealing component(s) thereof are not chemically reactive with one or more substances, e.g., hydrogen or other volatile substance(s) discussed herein, that contact the container and sealing component. In certain facets, the collection of the material sample, the sealing of the material sample, or both the collection and the sealing of the material sample does / do not require human intervention. In particular aspects, the collection of the material sample, the sealing of the material sample, or the collection and the sealing of the material sample is / are executed by a programmable system.

[0066] According to aspects, measuring the amount of hydrogen in a material as provided by method(s) here comprises isolating the sample by placing the sample in an enclosed environment prior to subjecting the sample to the one or more extraction forces, such as, e.g., gentle vacuum equivalent forces, such as, e.g., a gentle vacuum pressure. In aspects, the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, wherein, e.g., the gas consists essentially of air.

[0067] In aspects, collected sample(s) are placed in sample containers and the analysis of substance(s) described herein is performed without the removal of the material sample from the container(s). In aspects, volatile substance(s) extracted from a material sample is the only portionof a material sample which exits a sample during analysis once the sample is collected therein.

[0068] According to aspects, sample(s) are sealed within container(s) comprising a detectable or significant amount of atmospheric air but isolate the material sample from atmospheric air outside of the container. In aspects, the material / sample is isolated from potentially interfering elements (e.g., by placing the material in a container), but in a manner that provides for volatile substances associated with the material to react in the isolated environment (e.g., by placing sample(s) in a container that contains “headspace” or an open volume / void space that can contain volatile substances and associated gas (e.g., atmospheric air from the environment) permitting any reactive volatile substances, particularly hydrogen compounds, to chemically react with other reactive compounds if present, e.g., oxygen and nitrogen present in ambient atmospheric air).

[0069] According to aspects, an amount of headspace present in container(s) represents less than about 10%, such as, e.g., <~9%, <~8%, <~7%, <~6%, <~5%, <~4%, <~3%, <~2%, <~1%, or, e.g., ~0% of the total volume of the container. In certain respects, a headspace present in the container is of sufficient volume to allow the introduction of a needle through a / the sealing component of the container in order to capture one or more of the one or more substances for analysis using a rock volatile stratigraphic method.

[0070] In aspects, the materials / sample or the headspace / open volume / void space or both the materials / sample and the headspace / open volume / void space are isolated from interfering elements by a sealing component in direct connection with an opening in the container. In aspects, the sealing component is a plug, cap, stopper, or similar component. In other aspects, the sealing component is achieved by the direct connection with an opening in the container and a device / system where the analysis is to be performed.

[0071] Discussion of elements related to atmospheric air and its presence in headspace within container(s) is further provided elsewhere herein.

[0072] In respects, hydrogen quantitation method(s) described herein aim to obtain from the testing of a material sample the most accurate quantitation or estimation of the quantity(ies) of hydrogen present in the material in its native state, e.g., in a subterranean location within a geologic unit, as possible. The amount of hydrogen analyzed in a geologic material sample can be appreciably lower than the initial amounts of hydrogen present in the geologic material sample when collected at the Earth’s surface, e.g., at the surface of the drilling rig (and, similarly, can be appreciably lower than the actual amount(s) of hydrogen present in the geologicmaterial itself in its original location) by associated with the material sample reacting with nitrogen in air to make ammonia, and reacting with oxygen in air to make water.

[0073] In aspects, the composition of the gases, type and amount, when the sample is collected in the container may be different from those gases in the atmospheric air which were originally present in the headspace. Such different gases or amounts thereof may be related to hydrogen gas, a reduction in the amount of oxygen gas or nitrogen gas or an increase in the amount of ammonia, or water vapor. If changes occur in the type or amount of gases, such changes can be attributed to hydrogen gas in the sample being released into the headspace and reacting with oxygen to create water or reacting with nitrogen to create ammonia or both reacting with oxygen and nitrogen.

[0074] Material sample(s) sealed immediately upon collection, e.g., “sealed at the well” geologic material samples, do not detectably or significantly suffer from extreme volatiles loss and are therefore useful in measuring hydrogen or hydrogen proxies, such as but not limited to nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, and water. In certain aspects, unsealed geologic material samples are of limited if any use for evaluating subsurface geologic hydrogen resources because volatile components, e.g., hydrogen, helium, argon, nitrogen, ammonia, and oxygen can dissipate away from the geologic material sample. Hydrogen can in aspects remain in tight cracks and pores in material samples, such as, e.g., the tight cracks and pores of sealed at the well drill cuttings samples; however, reaction products of hydrogen and air, such as ammonia and water (and corresponding decreases in nitrogen and oxygen), and, further, argon present in the air of a sample container headspace, remain sealed in the sealed geologic material sample container.

[0075] Accordingly, the estimation of hydrogen amount(s) disclosed herein, when, e.g., applied to geologic materials initially captured and sealed at the well as soon as possible once the geologic materials are at the Earth’s surface, comprises the analyses of hydrogen plus the analysis of compounds created by the consumption of hydrogen reacting with another substance or the decrease in the amount of one or more substance(s) from atmospheric air sealed in the container that react with hydrogen from the geologic material. In aspects, method(s) of hydrogen quantitation disclosed herein do not consider directly measured hydrogen alone, but comprise an analysis of the reaction products ammonia and water (and / or the corresponding decrease in nitrogen and oxygen respectively) from the exact same physical sealed at well geologic material sample, and together such data reflect the inventive quantitation of hydrogen as described herein.

[0076] In aspects, sealing samples to be subjected to hydrogen quantitation comprises storing the collected sample(s) in airtight container(s) as quickly upon their collection aspossible, such as, e.g., within at least about after their collection, e.g., within at least about 9 minutes, ~8 minutes, ~7 minutes, ~6 minutes, ~5 minutes, ~4 minutes, ~3 minutes, ~2 minutes, ~1 minute, ~45 seconds, ~30 seconds, ~15 seconds, ~10 seconds, or within ~5 seconds or ~2 seconds from their collection. In aspects, collection occurs when sample(s) are first exposed to atmospheric air, such as, e.g., occurring when samples first reach the Earth’s surface from a subterranean / subsurface atmospheric-air-protected environment. As such, in aspects, sealing can occur within such time periods of the sample(s)’s first exposure to atmospheric air.

[0077] Accordingly, in aspects, method(s) of hydrogen quantification described herein comprise(s) containing material(s) / sample(s) subject to hydrogen quantitation in sealed container(s) upon their collection and prior to performing most or all of the method (e.g., prior to the application of force to release volatile substances from the material(s) / sample(s)). Purging

[0078] As provided herein, interaction between hydrogen-containing material sample(s) sealed in airtight container(s) and with atmospheric air present in the sealed headspace of such container(s) can yield hydrogen loss. The amount of hydrogen loss can be DOS minimized, mostly eliminated, or eliminated by the purging of air out of the sample container(s) before sealing, or, e.g., through seal(s) of the sample container(s). In aspects, purging can comprise use of hydrogen-inert gas(es) such as, e.g., krypton, argon, or, e.g., xenon. In aspects, argon can be used. Minimizing the headspace inside of sample containers can DOS reduce the nitrogen and oxygen available for hydrogen consumption. Stated another way, reducing the amount of nitrogen and oxygen present as component(s) of atmospheric air within sealed containers, e.g., by purging, can DOS reduce the amount of hydrogen (which would otherwise be measured as material-associated hydrogen and directly quantified) consumed in the formation of other compound(s) (such as, e.g., ammonia and water).

[0079] As an alternative to purging, reducing the amount of nitrogen and oxygen present in atmospheric air with which hydrogen associated with a material sample can interact can be minimized by maximizing the volume of the material sample within sample container(s). Reducing the amount of nitrogen and oxygen present for material sample hydrogen to interact can also or alternatively be minimized by minimizing the headspace comprising atmospheric air present in such containers. Maximizing the volume of, e.g., drill cuttings samples in sealed sample container(s), minimizing the headspace within container(s), or both, can DOS reduce the percentage of total drill cuttings hydrogen consumed by reaction with nitrogen and oxygen from air in the sealed tubes headspace.

[0080] According to aspects, hydrogen quantitation can comprise, e.g., purging air from a sample container, reducing or eliminating airspace in a container, maximizing sample volume within a sample container, or combination(s) thereof, as part of the method prior to the analysis of compound(s) or element(s) indicative of hydrogen content of the evaluated material(s). Overview of Hydrogen Quantitation: Hydrogen Analysis & Proxy-Supplemented Analysis (Formula Overview)

[0081] According to aspects, hydrogen quantitation provided herein comprises the estimation of the amount of hydrogen present in a material sample when sealed at the Earth’s surface after collection from a sub-surface location, e.g., a location typically protected from DOS exposure to atmospheric air.

[0082] Because of potential losses of hydrogen within sealed tubes discussed herein, the inventive hydrogen estimation / quantification provided herein comprises the analysis and subsequent calculation of hydrogen lost, and adding the amount of hydrogen lost to the amount of still preserved hydrogen. The result of that calculation represents original material, e.g., original drill cuttings hydrogen. Such a value is, in aspects, very valuable for use in the estimation of the size and purity of subsurface hydrogen reservoirs.

[0083] To effectively estimate the original hydrogen amounts present in a material sample (and accurately reflect the amount of hydrogen present in the material itself in its original location) measurement of hydrogen alone is supplemented by the analysis of the reaction products of ammonia and water, and the results of the assessment of hydrogen consumed in making those compounds are added to any molecular hydrogen also analyzed in the exact same physical sealed at well cuttings sample. Again, the analysis of all substance(s) discussed herein relative to the inventive method(s) of quantifying hydrogen is conducted within the same container; that is, the same container in which the sample is collected is utilized for the analysis of compound(s) discussed here.

[0084] According to aspects, quantitation of hydrogen disclosed herein can comprise use of three values: (1) hydrogen analyzed, (2) hydrogen lost making ammonia upon its interaction with atmospheric air (e.g., atmospheric air sealed with the sample inside of the sample container), and (3) hydrogen lost making water upon its interaction with atmospheric air (e.g., again, atmospheric air sealed with the sample inside of the sample container). According to aspects, such three values are utilized to estimate the amount of original material sample (e.g.,drill cuttings) hydrogen (H2) present at the capturing the sample(s), e.g., cuttings, at the surface and sealing in the sealed cuttings container.

[0085] As an equation, the total original sample (original cuttings) hydrogen in moles is calculated as: H2Original cuttings= H2Analyzed+ (Ammoniaproduced)*1.5 + (Waterproduced)

[0086] In aspects, values in such an equation can be obtained using rock volatile stratigraphy system(s) disclosed herein or, e.g., in Prior Smith Patents.

[0087] According to certain aspects, a DOS amount of hydrogen present in a subsurface location protected from DOS exposure to atmospheric air can be lost from a sample thereof while the sample is transported from the sampling location to the point of collection, e.g., at the Earth’s surface. That is, in aspects, a DOS amount of hydrogen can be lost from a material sample as it travels up a borehole from the point of its collection to the Earth’s surface. In aspects, the amount of hydrogen lost increases as the distance the sample must travel between its source and its point of collection, e.g., the Earth’s surface. Accordingly, in aspects, calculation(s) provided herein can comprise, e.g., use of a collection factor which accounts for an estimated amount of hydrogen lost based upon, e.g., a number of factor(s), including, e.g., but not limited to, the distance a sample travels between its source location and its point of collection, the time between when a sample is first taken to when it is hermetically sealed, the environment to which the sample is exposed between the time the sample is first taken to when it is collected / hermetically sealed, and the like. Volatile(s)

[0088] According to aspects, quantitation of hydrogen as disclosed herein comprises the analysis of volatile substance(s), including, e.g., hydrogen and, e.g., at least one other volatile compound, as described herein.

[0089] The estimation of hydrogen amounts when cuttings are initially captured and sealed at the well as soon as possible once the cuttings are at the surface requires the analyses of hydrogen plus the consideration, e.g., the analysis, of compounds created by the consumption of hydrogen reacting with another compound.

[0090] In certain aspects, volatile(s) utilized in determining the amount of hydrogen present in a material sample are volatiles are easily extracted volatile substances. In aspects, easily extracted volatile substances are substances which can be captured or otherwise isolatedby way of application of a gentle vacuum a gentle vacuum force equivalent. In aspects, typically a sufficiently gentle vacuum force herein is a vacuum force which is no stronger than about 2 mbar, such as, e.g., no stronger than about 4 mbar, ~6 mbar, ~8 mbar, ~10 mbar, ~12 mbar, ~14 mbar, ~16 mbar, ~18 mbar, ~20 mbar, ~22 mbar, or, e.g., ~24 mbar. In aspects, one or more volatile substances are removed prior to analysis, e.g., one or more easily extracted volatile substances are removed prior to analysis. Hydrogen – Direct Measurement

[0091] In aspects, hydrogen quantitation method(s) provided herein comprise the direct measurement of hydrogen. As previously provided, all analysis of hydrogen quantitation method(s) provided herein are performed on the same sample within the same collection container. Thus the quantitation of hydrogen can be performed by any suitable method or technology, so long as the method or technology is capable of analyzing each of the additional substance(s) relevant to the hydrogen quantitation method(s) described herein. In one aspect, hydrogen is directly quantified using mass spectrometry.

[0092] In facets, the amount of hydrogen directly analyzed in a material sample, e.g., a cuttings sample, can be appreciably lower than initial (original) amounts of hydrogen present in the cuttings sample (e.g., amounts of hydrogen present in the material sample at the time of its collection and more accurately reflecting the hydrogen content of the source material from which the sample was taken). Hydrogen Proxy(ies)

[0093] As discussed, hydrogen is highly subject to environmental loss, e.g., by dissipation or, e.g., by interaction with other substances, e.g., other substances in atmospheric air, and can be consumed by the formation of new compounds such as, e.g., ammonia and water. Accordingly, method(s) of hydrogen quantitation disclosed herein comprise the assessment of one or more other compounds which DOS reflect such lost hydrogen.

[0094] In certain respects, the amount of hydrogen consumption in some sealed geologic material samples could be so high as to totally or nearly totally eliminate all the hydrogen in a sealed at well geologic material sample. Even in samples still containing appreciable molecular hydrogen itself, much or even most of the original geologic material hydrogen may be lost by the time the sample undergoes analysis, having been consumed in the production of ammonia and water in the sealed sample tube.

[0095] Due to these potential losses of hydrogen within sealed tubes, in one aspect, a preferred manner in which an estimate of original geologic material hydrogen can be made isthrough analyses and subsequent lost, and the addition of the amount of hydrogen lost to the amount of still preserved hydrogen. The result of such calculation represents original geologic material hydrogen, a very important number for the estimation of the size and purity of subsurface hydrogen reservoirs.

[0096] In aspects, method(s) of evaluating / determining hydrogen quantity comprises analyzing one or more “proxy compounds” that are generated by the reaction with hydrogen in the isolated environment / container. In aspects, calculations are performed to convert the presence or absence of proxy compounds into an estimation of the amount of hydrogen in the sample at the time of its collection into a sample container.

[0097] According to aspects, hydrogen quantitation provided herein comprises analyzing the amount of hydrogen in a sample and using both the amount of hydrogen and the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy to quantify the hydrogen in the material. In aspects, the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises ammonia, an ammonia proxy, or both. In aspects, the at least one hydrogen proxy is nitrogen. In aspects, the at least one hydrogen proxy is a water proxy. In aspects, the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises oxygen.

[0098] According to particular embodiments, use of hydrogen proxy(ies) is dependent upon knowing the amount of air present in the sealed sample container. In aspects, samples are isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, wherein the gas is air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment.

[0099] In certain respects, method(s) of hydrogen quantitation comprises removing water from the sample prior to or concurrently with collecting a portion of extracted easily extracted volatile substances comprising the at least one hydrogen proxy.

[0100] In certain further aspects, the determination of the amount of hydrogen comprises using an atom compound presence factor to assess the amount of hydrogen originally contained in the sample. Nitrogen / Ammonia

[0101] In one aspect, technology(ies) provided herein are applicable for use in resource exploration, and, accordingly, method(s) herein can be used in resource exploration, e.g., the quantification of hydrogen stored in a hydrogen reservoir. As described, upon exposure to air, or, e.g., upon sampling, material(s) can lose a DOS amount of hydrogen, e.g., in one aspect by dissipation or, e.g., by interaction with one or more other substances. In one aspect, the loss of hydrogen from, e.g., drill cuttings sample(s) could, at least in part, be supplemented by furthermeasuring the amount of hydrogen present mud(s) associated with the drill cutting(s). In aspects the analysis of both cuttings and muds provides DOS improved accuracy of the estimated quantity of hydrogen present in the source material. Ammonia

[0102] In another aspect, upon sealing a material sample, e.g., a drill cuttings sample, in a sample container, a DOS amount of hydrogen evolving from the sample, e.g., cuttings sample, can react with the nitrogen in air present in the sealed container to generate ammonia. Such a loss of material hydrogen to ammonia production, left unaddressed, reduces the accuracy of material hydrogen quantification.

[0103] Ammonia is not a common component of sub-surface volatiles. Accordingly, the analyses of ammonia in sealed cuttings samples mostly, generally, substantially, or at least essentially reflects the analyses of the ammonia formed in the sample container from the reaction of hydrogen evolved from the samples, e.g., cuttings, with nitrogen in the air in the sealed sample container headspace.

[0104] According to certain aspects, ammonia is measured directly as a hydrogen proxy. In aspects, measurement of ammonia can be used to assess and account for material hydrogen lost, e.g., consumed by, the production of ammonia.1.5 molecules of H2 are consumed for each molecule of NH3 produced. As the amount of ammonia in samples derived from the Earth is negligible, any ammonia generated and measured can be directly equated with an amount of hydrogen consumed to produce such ammonia.

[0105] Ammonia can in aspects be difficult to analyze particular technology(ies), such as, e.g., mass spectrometry, because the typically small amount(s) of ammonia shares its main analytical peaks with the almost always extremely abundant amounts of water. The main mass spectrometer peaks for ammonia are Mass / charge values 17 (NH3+), 16 (NH2+), 15 (NH+) and 14 (N+). Of these peaks, 15 is difficult in the presence of methane from methane’s contribution on 15 from (CH3+). Ammonia on the 14 peak is difficult to analyze because of the very large N+ peak on 14 from N2 in air, and, further, if methane is present, competes with the methane CH2+ peak on 14. The peak on 16 is also difficult due to O+ on 16 from CO2, water, and O2 in the air. The only common ammonia interference on the 17 peak is from water (H2O), which is typically present in relatively high amounts, e.g., DOS higher amounts than ammonia, in geologic samples. H2O has its major peak on mass / charge peak 18 for H2O+. However, H2O also has a very major 17 peak (OH+) at about 20% of the intensity as H2O’s 18 peak.Accordingly, without removal of most of from the sample, it is difficult to analyze ammonia on the 17 peak.

[0106] According to aspects, it is trace ammonia can be analyzed in the presence of large amounts of water by subtracting out the appropriate amount from the 17 peak based on the size of water’s 18 peak. In such cases, the amounts of ammonia can, in aspects, be lower than the imprecision inherent in the analyses of the 18 and 17 water peaks. As such, direct ammonia mass spectrometer analyses using the 17 peak for ammonia in the presence of normally abundant water is typically impractical.

[0107] Prior Smith Patents reflect that establishing a volume of water-free, non- condensable gas for volatile assessment can be beneficial. In aspects, condensing some, e.g., most or at least a substantial amount of volatiles, including water, on a cryotrap, such as, e.g., a liquid nitrogen trap, can create a volume of water-free non-condensable gas analyzable by providing such water-free gas directly into a mass spectrometer. Ammonia is a component of the non-condensable gas fraction in prior disclosed cryogenic mass spectrometer system(s), systems which in aspects are associated with rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) previously disclosed and which are further expanded upon herein. While some background water in the system may still be present, ammonia can be directly analyzed from this water-free gas fraction using mass 17 corrected for any residual water by subtracting the appropriate percentage of the water’s main 18 peak, about 20%.

[0108] According to certain specific aspects, method(s) of hydrogen quantification provided herein comprise the measurement of ammonia, nitrogen and argon, or each of ammonia, nitrogen, and argon. In certain aspects, method(s) comprise analyzing ammonia generated in a sealed sample container which may be from the reaction of geologic hydrogen gas released from the sample with nitrogen in the air in the headspace in the sealed container. In aspects the assessment of nitrogen comprises consideration of the reduction in an expected amount of nitrogen to be present if no nitrogen is consumed my material hydrogen to form ammonia. In aspects, method(s) comprises measuring the amount of argon associated with a sample, in a sample container (e.g., in the gas / headspace in a container), or both, and optionally using such data to evaluate nitrogen loss from a container. In aspects, method(s) comprise analyzing the amount of ammonia associated with the material / sample / cutting from a water-free gas fraction using mass 17, optionally wherein the method comprises correcting the measurement / analysis for any residual water by subtracting the appropriate percentage of the water’s main mass spectrometry mass 18 peak (H2O+).

[0109] In aspects, analyzing provides realization of the amount of hydrogen consumed to make such ammonia. In aspects, such hydrogen lost is in addition to and can be added to analyzed hydrogen still in the sample container to aid in the quantification of material hydrogen. Nitrogen + Argon

[0110] In aspects, ammonia production in a sample container as described herein can also be estimated by analyzing nitrogen in the sample container and from those data the amount of nitrogen consumed to make ammonia can be determined. In aspects, the amount of air sealed into the sealed cuttings container at the well is approximately the same for all samples. In aspects, simply graphing variation in total nitrogen in a series of sealed cuttings samples can identify samples that have lost nitrogen from the air in the sealed at well cuttings containers from ammonia production. In other aspects, the amount of air trapped into the sealed at well cuttings sample container can be determined using analyses of argon, whereby argon makes up, e.g., about 1% of air. The amount of nitrogen, present in a concentration of about 77% in air, can be compared to the amount of argon analyzed to determine if there has been nitrogen loss from the air sealed with the cuttings at the well caused by ammonia production. Argon is a non-reactive noble gas and is uncommon in the earth’s subsurface except in only trace amounts.

[0111] Alternatively, one can measure the amount of Nitrogen in the air within the container (identifying the amount of Nitrogen consumed) to estimate the amount of hydrogen that was present when the sample was sealed with ambient air but consumed in the production of ammonia. According to certain aspects, nitrogen is measured directly as a hydrogen proxy. When nitrogen is measured directly, it is accompanied by the direct measurement of argon. The amount of nitrogen in the air (~77%), as provided above, is known. In aspects, the amount of air present in the sample container can be determined, e.g., by further measuring argon, and thus any reduction in the expected amount of nitrogen to be present based upon the amount of air present can be interpreted as having been lost to ammonia production, from which the amount of material hydrogen lost to ammonia production can be determined.

[0112] Specifically, for each molecule of nitrogen (N2) consumed, three molecules of hydrogen (H2) are consumed to produce 2 molecules of NH3. Thus, if the concentration of N2 in the air is expected to be, e.g., was originally 77% when the sample was sealed in the sample container with such air, and the concentration of nitrogen is determined to be 74% when the sample is analyzed, then a 3% reduction in the concentration of nitrogen by virtue of it reacting with hydrogen in the sample at the time it was sealed is identified. Such percentage reduction,3%, can be multiplied by the volume of that was sealed in the tube (which can be determined by way of measuring argon) to get the absolute amount of nitrogen consumed.

[0113] As with the case for oxygen consumed (discussed below), the amount of nitrogen in the ambient air sealed in the sample container with the material sample can be estimated by measuring the amount of a gas, such as argon, which is present when the sample is analyzed, since the amount of argon in samples derived from the Earth is negligible. Thus, the amount of argon measured can be divided by the typical concentration of argon in ambient air, about 1%, to estimate the volume of ambient air sealed in the tube.

[0114] Upon calculating the absolute amount of nitrogen consumed, the amount of hydrogen that was in the sample when sealed but consumed to produce ammonia can be calculated by multiplying the amount of nitrogen consumed by 3 to estimate the amount of hydrogen consumed to form ammonia. As the relationship between the amount of nitrogen consumed in reacting with hydrogen is directly related to the amount of ammonia produced, that is 1 molecule of N2 is consumed to produce 2 molecules of ammonia (NH3) both the amount of ammonia produced and the amount of nitrogen consumed can be determined to generate a more accurate estimation of the amount of material hydrogen consumed to form ammonia.

[0115] Notably, it is not necessary to measure both nitrogen consumed and ammonia generated to generate an estimate of hydrogen consumed in the production of ammonia. Estimated hydrogen lost due to ammonia production will in aspects, e.g., can typically generate a positive estimate of hydrogen present when sealed but consumed when there an amount of directly measured hydrogen is present. In certain aspects, such a relationship may not always exist.

[0116] Measurement of nitrogen, assessing the reduction in the amount of nitrogen expected to be present based on the known amount of air in the container (as determined, at least in part, by the amount of argon present), provides an indirect assessment of the amount of ammonia produced and, e.g., accordingly, can be used as a proxy to determine how much hydrogen was lost due to ammonia production. In certain respects, accordingly, nitrogen can be referred to as a hydrogen proxy, an ammonia proxy, or both. Nitrogen + Argon & Ammonia

[0117] In particular aspects, it can be beneficial to measure ammonia directly as well as to measure nitrogen and argon directly to indirectly assess the amount of ammonia produced (as described above). In aspects, having each such hydrogen proxy can aide in validating the other. In particular aspects, ammonia is measured directly as is nitrogen (and argon); and, e.g., if theamount of ammonia measured is more than of nitrogen calculated to have been consumed in the production of ammonia, this demonstrates that ammonia was generated prior to sealing tube, and in such case the directly measured ammonia value can be used in further calculations related to the establishment of the amount of material hydrogen.

[0118] The chemical reaction for nitrogen loss for ammonia production by reaction with nitrogen is: N2air+ 3H2cuttings= 2NH3sealed container

[0119] The calculations for hydrogen loss by ammonia production from estimating N2 loss are: Nitrogenlost= (77 * Argon) - (Nitrogenanalyzed) and NH3generated= (Nitrogenlost) / 2 and H2 Lost Making Ammonia = (Nitrogenlost) * 3

[0120] Alternatively, using analyzed ammonia, the equation for H2 lost is: H2 Lost = (Ammoniaanalyzed) * 1.5

[0121] The chemical reaction for nitrogen loss for ammonia production by reaction with nitrogen is: N2air+3H2cuttings^ 2NH3sealed container

[0122] ammonia production from estimating N2 loss are: Nitrogen Lost = (77 * Argon) - (Nitrogenanalyzed) and NH3generated= (Nitrogenlost) * 2 and H2 Lost Making Ammonia = (N2lost) * 3

[0123] Alternatively, using analyzed ammonia, the equation for H2 lost is: H2 Lost = (Ammoniaanalyzed) * 1.5 Oxygen / Water

[0124] Upon sealing in the sample tube Hydrogen evolving from the cuttings sample can react with the Nitrogen in the air to make Ammonia, and Hydrogen evolved from the sample can also react with Oxygen to make Water. Oxygen + Argon

[0125] In aspects, just as nitrogen air sealed in the sample tube can be used to estimate ammonia production from nitrogen reacting with hydrogen, so too can water production be estimated from oxygen loss from the air that is trapped as a head space gas in the sealed at the well cuttings container.

[0126] Air is known to contain about 22% oxygen. The amount of air sealed in the sealed at well cuttings containers varies little from sample to sample. As such, in aspects, graphing the amount of oxygen in a series of samples allows the ready identification of such samples that have experienced significant oxygen loss through reaction with cuttings hydrogen to produce water. Like with nitrogen, the analysis of argon, wherein argon is present at a concentration of about 1% in air, can be used to estimate the amount of trapped air in the sealed at well cuttings container, from which an original amount of oxygen in that sample container can be calculated, and, e.g., further, the loss of oxygen can be calculated by subtracting the amount of analyzed oxygen from the amount of oxygen calculated to be present based upon the amount of argon. Such data can be used to determine the amount of material hydrogen lost due to the production of water. The calculation in moles is approximately: Oxygenlost= (22 * Argonair in tube) - (Oxygenanalyzed) and H2Ogenerated= Oxygenlost* 2 and H2lostmaking water = (O2lost) / 2

[0127] The chemical reaction where O2 and H2 are lost to produce H2O is O2air+ 2H2cuttings-> 2H2Osealed container

[0128] According to aspects, quantitation of hydrogen comprises measuring the amount of oxygen in a sample / container, e.g., in a series of samples or sample containers, e.g., to allow the identification of such samples that have experienced significant oxygen loss through reaction with cuttings hydrogen to produce water. Water

[0129] In aspects, it is impractical to estimate the amount of hydrogen consumed in a sealed at well cuttings sample container directly using the analysis of water, as, e.g., there is typically a significant amount of water in such samples, e.g., water from subsurface fluid(s), drilling mud(s), etc., and such amount(s) of water can vary unpredictably from sample to sample. This makes the estimation of hydrogen consumed by water production from the analyses of water in the sealed at well cuttings sample challenging. However, just as nitrogen loss from airsealed in the sample tube can be used to ammonia production from nitrogen reacting with hydrogen, so too can water production be estimated from oxygen loss from the air that is trapped as a head space gas in the sealed at the well cuttings container.

[0130] In aspects, analyzing the amount of oxygen (and, e.g., argon) to obtain an estimation of the amount of hydrogen consumed to make water can be added to analyzed hydrogen still in the sample container to aid in the quantification of material hydrogen.

[0131] In aspects, removal of water from the sample is performed by subjecting the easily extracted volatile substances to a media that selectively traps a portion of the easily extracted volatile substances that (1) comprises water, (2) does not comprise all of the very small volatile substances in the easily extracted volatile substances, and (3) does not comprise, e.g., at least one hydrogen proxy.

[0132] In aspects, removal of water from the sample is performed by contacting the easily extracted volatile substances with a cryogenic trap such that the trapped portion of the easily extracted volatile substances condenses to the cryogenic trap and the collected portion of the easily extracted volatile substances comprising the at least one hydrogen proxy does not condense to the cryogenic trap. Quantitation: RVS Method(s) & Related Calculation(s)

[0133] In aspects, the analysis of ammonia directly, alone or in combination with the analysis of nitrogen in combination with argon; the analysis of oxygen in combination with argon; and the direct measurement of hydrogen, can be used together in the quantification of hydrogen, e.g., the amount of hydrogen expected to be present in a material source when such data is collected from a sample of such material. According to aspects, rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) disclosed herein and in Prior Smith Patents can be used to analyze the quantity(ies) of substances described here relative to method(s) of hydrogen quantification, e.g., method(s) of hydrogen quantification comprising use of one or more hydrogen proxy(ies).

[0134] According to aspects, an estimate of the amount of hydrogen present in sample(s) at the time of sealing, the amount of hydrogen that is measured directly in the sealed sample, the amount of hydrogen that was in sample when sealed but consumed to produce water, and the amount hydrogen that was in the sample when sealed but consumed to produce ammonia, can be added together. This sum provides an estimate of the original cuttings H2 before water & ammonia production.

[0135] According to aspects, hydrogen quantitation herein comprises the analysis of a water-free or substantially water-free or essentially water-free non-condensable gas (e.g., thatdoes not condense to a cryogenic trap when methods according to the Prior Smith Patents) that is analyzable by providing that water-free gas directly into an analyzer, such as, for example a mass spectrometer. In certain further respects, method(s) of measuring hydrogen or hydrogen proxy(ies) are indifferent to what technology(ies) are used to measure them. Mass spectrometry is one example of an analytical method that may be used to measure one or more of the aforementioned gaseous molecules. However, other analytical methods may be substituted or combined with mass spectrometry to measure one or more of the aforementioned gaseous molecules. In aspects, any method suitable for quantifying, measuring, or otherwise obtaining relative amount(s) of the gaseous molecules, compound(s), or combination(s) thereof may be suitable for use in aspects of the disclosure described herein.

[0136] In aspects, such quantitation is performed by method(s) comprising applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to the material sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (1) application of a first force to the material sample to release at least a first aliquot of one or more substances from the material sample; (2) optionally applying a second force to the material sample to release at least a second aliquot of one or more substances which differ from the one or more substances released by the application of the first force; (3) concentrating or otherwise detectably or significantly enriching at least one of the one more substances released by the application of the first force and optional second force by applying a technique capable of capturing one or more of the other substances released by the application of the first force and optional second force; (4) measuring a plurality of substances released from the material sample by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof, wherein the plurality of substances comprises hydrogen, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, ammonia or combination(s) thereof; (5) and estimating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample at the time of its collection and prior to its exposure to the atmospheric air within the sealed container

[0137] In aspects, the calculation comprises (1) calculating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample consumed in generating ammonia upon the interaction of the material sample with atmospheric air; and (2) calculating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample consumed in generating water upon the interaction of the material sample with atmospheric air; and adding the calculated amounts of hydrogen from preceding steps to the amount of hydrogen measured directly.

[0138] In aspects, method(s) of quantifying hydrogen comprise applying at least two different forces (resulting in measurably different substances) to generate two different analyzedaliquots for the materials, such as an aliquot by applying a pressure of about 20 millibars and a second aliquot produced by applying a pressure of about 2 millibars, each to the same material(s) / sample(s), e.g., in accordance with the teachings of the Prior Smith Patents. In certain aspects, method(s) comprise condensing measurably or significantly less types, concentrations, or amounts of any one, some, many, or most of any of the specific volatile substances analyzed in methods described in the Prior Smith Patents, to a trap (e.g., a cryogenic trap) used in performing the method. In particular aspects, any trapped substance(s) are discarded. In other particular aspects, a cryogenic trap lacks any heating element capable of releasing trapped substances.

[0139] In certain aspects, method(s) of hydrogen quantitation comprise the collection of gas or one or more volatile substance(s) from an isolated environment, e.g., a sealed sample container and the analysis of thereof. The analysis can comprise a comparison of the gas or one or more volatile substances to another gas / other gases, e.g., the atmospheric air, or, e.g., one or more other volatile substances. In aspects, the analysis can comprise analyzing a change in one or more substances in the gas in the isolated environment / container indicative of the amount / concentration / purity of hydrogen in the sample / material (e.g., a relative change in the amount of oxygen, nitrogen, ammonia, water vapor, hydrogen, or a combination of some or all thereto or other compound that may react with hydrogen in the isolated environment open space / container headspace).

[0140] It may be that in certain scenarios, an amount of H2 is obtained from analysis(es) which represents an amount too high for it to be present as gas in the sample material. In some aspects, such hydrogen can be present as a condensed phase. In aspects, hydrogen can be present chemically bonded to the rock as a hydride. According to such aspects, the amount of H2 stored at, e.g., the subsurface location from which material sample(s) may be collected can be far higher, e.g., orders of magnitude higher, than the quantification method(s) herein may indicate. According to particular method(s), provided herein are method(s) of identifying hydrogen stored as a condensed phase. Hydrogen quantification method(s) described herein can indicate amount(s) of hydrogen which are at least about 1, ~2, ~3, ~4, ~5, orders of magnitude or more higher than amount(s) actually measured. Specific Exemplary Embodiment(s)

[0141] In one particular embodiment, the invention provides a method for measuring the amount of hydrogen in a material comprising (1) obtaining an analyzable amount of a material as a sample, (2) subjecting the sample to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extractone or more easily released volatile the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising at least one hydrogen proxy, collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances, and measuring the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy in the collected portion of the easily released volatile substances and using the measurement in a determination of the amount of hydrogen in the material.

[0142] In another particular aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying the amount of hydrogen present in a material sample, the amount of hydrogen identified being the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample at the time of its collection, the method comprising (1) collecting a sample of a material from a location protected from exposure to atmospheric air until the time the sample material is collected; (2) sealing the material sample upon collection, wherein the material sample is sealed within a container wherein the container contains an amount of atmospheric air, to isolate the material sample from atmospheric air outside of the container; (3) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to the material sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (a) applying a first force to the material sample to release at least a first aliquot of one or more substances from the material sample; (b) optionally applying a second force to the material sample to release at least a second aliquot of one or more substances which differ from the one or more substances released by the application of the first force; (c) concentrating or otherwise detectably or significantly enriching at least one of the one more substances released by the application of the first force and optional second force by applying a technique capable of capturing one or more of the other substances released by the application of the first force and optional second force; and (d) measuring a plurality of substances released from the material sample by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof, wherein the plurality of substances comprises one or more of hydrogen, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, and ammonia; and (4) estimating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample at the time of its collection and prior to its exposure to the atmospheric air within the sealed container, wherein the calculation comprises (a) calculating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample consumed in generating ammonia upon the interaction of the material sample with atmospheric air; (b) calculating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample consumed in generating water upon the interaction of the material sample with atmospheric air; and (c) (A) adding the calculated amounts of hydrogen from steps (4)(a) and (4)(b) to the amount of hydrogen measured directly in step (3)(d); (B) calculating the amount of ammonia produced based upon the amount of nitrogen lost to due ammonia production, calculating the amount of water produced based upon the amount of oxygen lost dueto water production, and adding the two amounts to the amount of hydrogen measured directly in step (3)(d); or (C) both (A) and (B).

[0143] In further respects, the method concentration step of step (3)(c) comprises application of a technology capable of capturing one or more condensable substances released by the application of the first force and optional second force, such as the use of a cryogenic trap or condensable material trap, the use of drierite, the use of desiccant, or, e.g., the use of Teflon with sulfonyl channels. In certain respects, the one or more substances that are concentrated or otherwise enriched comprise one or more of hydrogen, helium, argon, nitrogen, oxygen, and ammonia. In certain aspects, the step of measuring a plurality of substances released from the material sample by an analytical method comprises measuring substances by mass spectrometry.

[0144] According to aspects, calculating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample consumed in generating ammonia is performed according to one or both of the following sets of equations: 1. From estimating nitrogen lost to ammonia production: N2 lost to ammonia production = (77*argon measured) – N2 measured, and H2 lost to ammonia production = (N2 lost to ammonia production)*3; or 2. Using presence of ammonia: NH3 generated with H2 from sample = (N2 lost to ammonia production) *2 or NH3 measured, and H2 lost to ammonia production = (Ammonia measured)*1.5

[0145] According to aspects, calculating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample consumed in generating water is calculated based on the following equations: O2 lost to H2O production = (22*argon measured) - O2 measured, wherein H2O generated with H2 from sample = (O2 lost to H2O production) * 2, and H2 lost to water production = (O2 lost to water production)*2.

[0146] In aspects, calculating the total amount of hydrogen present in the material sample at the time it was collected is calculated according to the following equation: H2 (material sample total) = Amount of H2 measured directly (H2 measured) + Amount of H2 lost to ammonia production (which is 1.5*NH3 measured or 1.5*NH3 estimated from N2 lost) + Amount of H2 lost to water production (which is 2*O2 lost to water production).

[0147] In certain additional aspects, one or more additional mathematical factors can be applied to calculation(s) herein to refine the amount of hydrogen estimated to be associated withthe material in its source location, wherein of the one or more additional mathematical factors renders an amount of hydrogen estimated to be present in the material sample at the time of its collection, prior to its exposure to the atmospheric air within the sealed container, or both, which is detectably or significantly closer to the actual amount of hydrogen present in the material sample prior to it being collected from the location protected from exposure to atmospheric air. Such a factor can aid or partially aid in accounting for time between collection and analysis; distance between source and collection point, or both time and distance.

[0148] According to particular embodiments, method(s) of determining the amount of hydrogen in a material disclosed herein comprise(s) comparing the quantity of hydrogen measured in the one or more easily released volatile substances to the quantity of helium measured in the one or more easily released volatile substances. In aspects, the method(s) comprise analyzing a plurality of samples from different parts of a geologic unit, determining the amount of hydrogen and the amount of helium in the plurality of samples, and identifying one or more areas of high hydrogen content; one or more areas of high helium content; one or more areas of high hydrogen content and low helium content; one or more areas of high helium content and low hydrogen content; or any combination thereof in the geologic unit. In aspects, the method(s) comprise subjecting one or more samples to different volatile extraction conditions, wherein one of the different volatile extraction conditions results in the extraction of a significantly greater amount of hydrogen than helium and a different one of the different volatile extraction conditions results in extraction of a significantly greater amount of helium than hydrogen.

[0149] Aspects related to the quantification of hydrogen in materials are further described by the Examples and associated figures provided herewith. Comparative Analysis of Hydrogen and Other Substances (e.g., Helium)

[0150] In one aspect of method(s) disclosed herein, at least two samples are collected and analyzed separately to determine if there is a difference between the samples in the amount of hydrogen, the purity of the hydrogen, etc., or the amount and purity of the hydrogen in the sample at the time it was collected from a subterranean location to assess where to further explore for or produce hydrogen.

[0151] According to aspects, method(s) and device(s) described herein are capable of identifying detectably or significantly stratified versus co-mingled helium and hydrogen deposits, wherein such deposits may be useful hydrogen extraction target(s). Understanding in the art, at the time of this Application is that the two gases, helium and hydrogen, are foundtogether in geologic locations. However, (ies) and application(s) thereof described herein demonstrates that this is not the case.

[0152] In aspects, method(s) herein identify different geologic locations where the amount of hydrogen, the purity of hydrogen, or both the amount and purity of hydrogen may differ or where hydrogen can be differentially extracted from a sample containing other volatile substances, e.g., helium, in order to provide higher purity hydrogen, e.g., greater than about 99.95%, greater than about 99.99% or greater than about 99.995% pure on a molar basis.

[0153] In aspects, method(s) herein are capable of distinguishing helium-rich zone(s) which are in very close proximity to hydrogen-rich zone(s); such as, e.g., distinguishable zones which are adjacent to one another or, e.g., are within less than 500 ft, <400ft, <300 ft, <200 ft, <100 ft, <50 ft, <40 ft, <30 ft, <20 ft, <10 ft, <5 ft, <4 ft, <3 ft, <2 ft, <1 ft, or, e.g., within inches of one another.

[0154] In one variation of method(s) herein, the analysis of samples provides a means to identify target locations within, e.g., a geologic unit, where production of hydrogen may be undertaken. In aspects, the methods provide information about the purity of hydrogen, amount of hydrogen, or both the purity and amount of hydrogen for hydrogen prospectors. In aspects, the purity of the hydrogen is influenced by the presence of other gases, e.g., helium or liquids, e.g., water or both gases and liquids.

[0155] In one aspect of method(s) herein, more than one sample is analyzed to determine differences in the purity of the hydrogen across samples. In aspects, the method is used to test more than one sample across different geographic locations or different locations within a well or borehole, for example, or both different geographic locations and locations within a well. In aspects, the method provides information about where to consider production of geologic hydrogen in one or more geographic locations or one or more locations within a well or both production in one or more geographic locations and locations within a well.

[0156] In one aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying the difference in hydrogen content between two or more material samples, the method comprising collecting a plurality of material samples from one or more locations wherein each of the one or more materials are protected from exposure to atmospheric air until the time each of the material samples are collected; sealing each material sample upon its collection, wherein each material sample is sealed within its own container wherein each container contains an amount of atmospheric air, to isolate each material sample from atmospheric air outside of each container; applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each material sample, the rock volatilestratigraphy method comprising applying a to each material sample to release at least a first aliquot of one or more substances from the material sample; optionally applying a second force to the material sample to release at least a second aliquot of one or more substances which differ from the one or more substances released by the application of the first force; concentrating or otherwise detectably or significantly enriching at least one of the one more substances released by the application of the first force and optional second force by applying a technique capable of capturing one or more of the other substances released by the application of the first force and optional second force. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying the relative purity of hydrogen present in a material, wherein the purity of hydrogen is the amount of hydrogen present relative to the amount of helium present, the method comprising (a) collecting a sample of a material from a location protected from exposure to atmospheric air until the time the sample material is collected; (b) sealing each material sample upon collection, wherein the material sample is sealed within a container wherein the container contains an amount of atmospheric air, to isolate the material sample from atmospheric air outside of the container; (c) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to the material sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a force to the material sample to release one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, and (ii) a means for concentrating the hydrogen, helium or both which removes one or more volatile substance(s) other than hydrogen, helium, or both; (d) measuring the amount hydrogen and the amount of helium released by the application of the force by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof; (e) comparing the ratio of the amount of hydrogen to the amount of helium measured in step (d) to a known value, wherein the known value is a value indicating an expected ratio of hydrogen to helium in such a material under typical or known conditions; (f) determining if the ratio of hydrogen to helium in the material sample is higher than the known value.

[0157] In aspects, in such an exemplary method, after performing one or more steps (c), (e), (e) or (f), step (c) is repeated and a second force is applied to release one or more additional volatile substances and steps (d)- (f) are performed on the additional volatile substances. In aspects, the means for concentrating is accomplished by a cryogenic trap or condensable material trap. In aspects, estimating the amount of hydrogen present in the material sample at the time of its collection and prior to its exposure to the atmospheric air within the sealed container comprises one or more of the hydrogen quantification method(s) described herein.

[0158] According to aspects, the hydrogen, purity of hydrogen, or both the amount and purity of hydrogen inform hydrogen prospectors of suitable target locations for hydrogen production.

[0159] In certain respects, method(s) and device(s) described herein identify strata wherein helium forms a layer which detectably or significantly prevents, e.g., blocks hydrogen from entering or otherwise associating with rock. Not to be bound by hypothesis, one theory is that this may be due to how each element interacts with rock; e.g., helium, as a Nobel gas, may not interact with rock but rather may simply be present and physically block other interactions with the rock from occurring. On the other hand, hydrogen is known to bond with mineral surface(s) of rock, e.g., in aspects, in the form of hydrides. According to aspects, the invention provides, method(s) for the identification of strata of helium-rich rock, wherein the top of such a helium-rich zone may represent a geologic “seal” wherein permeable rocks exist below such seal and impermeable rock exist above such seal. Accordingly, in aspects, the technology described herein identifies a geologic seal formed by helium.

[0160] Aspects related to the comparative analysis of hydrogen and other substances are further described by the Examples and associated figures provided herewith. Identification and Production of Pure Substances / Purity Evaluation & Production of Pure Hydrogen / Helium by Differential Extraction

[0161] The technology described herein provides methods for identifying, in aspects, locations containing exclusively pure hydrogen, or locations that contain hydrogen comingled with other volatile substances, e.g., helium, but wherein one or more conditions may be applied to such locations to extract pure hydrogen.

[0162] The analyses of multiple volatile aliquots extracted at different pressures in aspects provides insight as to whether or not pure hydrogen may be contained in portions of a reservoir that would not be realized by a bulk analysis of hydrogen from the extraction of all volatiles at a single aggressively low pressure. This may be especially a problem in cuttings where rock grains from a number of depths are collected at the surface at the same time. A much greater level of hydrogen purity in under certain pressure extractions, versus less pure hydrogen extraction at other pressure extractions indicates certain layers or fractures or other features of the earth’s subsurface somewhere in the vicinity that the cuttings sample was caught may contain very pure hydrogen. Other more expensive and more depth definitive technologies, such as conventional coring and analyses, closely spaced side wall coring and analyses, closely spaced drill stem tests (DSTs) and analyses, or hydrogen sensitive wireline logs including fiber opticsanalyses technologies such as Raman can be used to pinpoint any discreet zones of very pure hydrogen resource that can then be targeted for production of very pure hydrogen.

[0163] Hydrogen must be of extremely high purity to be used as a fuel, for example, greater than about 99.95, greater than about 99.99%, or greater than about 99.995% pure on a molar basis.

[0164] Helium is commonly considered a likely contaminant of hydrogen in-as-much-as hydrogen and helium are both very small and both hydrogen and helium are very light. These shared properties of size and mass are considered conducive to hydrogen and helium co- mingling in the subsurface. However, described herein are data demonstrating that hydrogen and helium can be identified as DOS segregated from one another. Such segregation of hydrogen from helium has been observed uniquely in data generated on rock volatile stratigraphy method analyzer(s) described herein, and, e.g., in certain respects, in Prior Smith Patents.

[0165] The first aspect is the stratigraphic separation of helium and hydrogen. In aspects, disclosure herein provides observations of rock zones rich in helium directly adjacent to rock zones rich in hydrogen. See, for example, Figure 2 exemplifying such data. In aspects, such zones may occur at a variety of thicknesses of these rock zones. Pinpointing the hydrogen-rich and helium-poor zones allows for the production of purer hydrogen with lower helium contents. In aspects, observations can allow for pinpointing zones for the production of purer helium from the helium-rich hydrogen-poor zones.

[0166] The stratigraphic separation of helium from hydrogen can, in aspects, be due to a seal, such as rock with very low permeability being above the helium and not allowing the helium to be transmitted towards the surface. The helium in itself may then create a seal which prevents the hydrogen from migrating further towards the surface, as the helium may occupy crevices, pores, etc. that would otherwise be available for the hydrogen to occupy.

[0167] The stratigraphic separation of helium and hydrogen may allow for the extraction of both highly pure helium and highly pure hydrogen or both. In aspects, the identification of such circumstances described here represents a novel element of this technology.

[0168] In another aspect, single zones containing both hydrogen and helium are identified, but in which hydrogen and helium each show higher and lower abundances in different volatiles aliquots from analyses of rock volatiles extracted at different pressures (see, e.g., Figure 3). This suggests perhaps that the same rock is holding hydrogen and helium in different pore spaces in the same rock, or within pores within different but spatially close aspects of the same rock, within different pore spaces closely spaced rocks maybe in layers, or that thehelium is not chemically associated with the whereas the hydrogen is chemically associated with the same rock, making it easier to extract the helium from the rock with a less strong vacuum, perhaps about 20 mbar of residual pressure versus hydrogen being more difficult to extract, perhaps requiring a stronger vacuum with a residual pressure of about 2 mbar.. Other more expensive and more depth definitive technologies, such as conventional coring and analyses, closely spaced side wall coring and analyses, closely spaced drill stem tests (DSTs) and analyses, or hydrogen sensitive wireline logs including fiber optics analyses technologies such as Raman spectroscopy, can be used to pin point any discreet zones of very pure hydrogen or very pure helium resources that can then be targeted for production of either or both very pure hydrogen and / or very pure helium.

[0169] Such single zones containing both hydrogen and helium, thus each unpure, may be each extracted in pure form, by the application of one or more forces, e.g., a weaker force (such as a weaker differential in pressure between the zone in the subsurface and the surface) to extract pure helium, e.g., >95%, >99%, or even >99.9%.

[0170] In such single zones, having extracted the helium, a second force may then be applied to the zone to extract hydrogen in pure form, e.g., >95%, >99%, >99.9%, or even greater than 99.95%.

[0171] In one aspect, the invention provides a method of comparing the relative purity of hydrogen between two or more material samples, wherein the purity of hydrogen is the amount of hydrogen present relative to the amount of helium present, the method comprising: (a) collecting at least two material samples; (b) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each material sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a force to the material sample to release one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, and (ii) a means for concentrating the hydrogen, helium or both which removes one or more volatile substance(s) other than hydrogen, helium, or both; (c) measuring the amount hydrogen and the amount of helium in each material sample released by the application of the force by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof, to establish a ratio of the amount of hydrogen to the amount of helium in each material sample; and d) comparing the ratio of the amount of hydrogen to the amount of helium established in step (c) of at least one material sample, to the ratio of the amount of hydrogen to the amount of helium established in step (c) of at least one other material sample, to determine which material sample has a higher ratio of hydrogen to helium.

[0172] In aspects, the method may for identifying zones of a single well wherein in one or more zones there are subzones that each contain both highly pure hydrogen overlaid by highly pure helium and in one or more other zones helium and hydrogen are comingled but can each be extracted from one another in highly pure form, i.e., highly pure helium and highly pure hydrogen by the application of at least two different conditions, e.g., a weaker pressure differential from the surface and a stronger pressure differential from the surface.

[0173] According to one aspect of the technology(ies) herein, single zones containing both hydrogen and helium, but in which hydrogen and helium each show higher and lower abundances in different volatiles aliquots from analyses of rock volatiles extracted at different pressures (see Figure 3) are identified and exploited. Such findings, in aspects, indicate that the same rock is holding hydrogen and helium in different pore spaces in the same rock, or within pores within different but spatially close aspects of the same rock, or with different pore spaces closely spaced rocks maybe in layers. Other more expensive and more depth definitive technologies, such as conventional coring and analyses, closely spaced side wall coring and analyses, closely spaced drill stem tests (DSTs) and analyses, or hydrogen sensitive wireline logs including fiber optics analyses technologies such as Raman Spectroscopy, can be used to pin point any discreet zones of very pure hydrogen or very pure helium resources that can then be targeted for production of either or both very pure hydrogen and / or very pure helium.

[0174] The analyses of multiple volatile aliquots extracted at different pressures disclosed herein, in aspects, provides insight as to whether or not pure hydrogen may be contained in portions of a reservoir that would not be realized by a bulk analysis of hydrogen from the extraction of all volatiles at a single aggressively low pressure. This is especially a problem in cuttings where rock grains from a number of depths are collected at the surface at the same time. A much greater level of hydrogen purity in under certain pressure extractions, versus less pure hydrogen extraction at other pressure extractions indicates certain layers or fractures or other features of the earth’s subsurface somewhere in the vicinity that the cuttings sample was caught may contain very pure hydrogen. Other more expensive and more depth definitive technologies, such as conventional coring and analyses, closely spaced side wall coring and analyses, closely spaced drill stem tests (DSTs) and analyses, or hydrogen sensitive wireline logs including fiber optics analyses technologies such as Raman Spectroscopy, can be used to pinpoint any discreet zones of very pure hydrogen resource that can then be targeted for production of very pure hydrogen.

[0175] In certain aspects of method the volatile(s) analysis provides information about the purity of the hydrogen relative to helium that may also be present in the same material. In aspects, the methods provides information that suggests the hydrogen may not exist solely as a gas in the material by virtue of the porosity of the material. In aspects, the method provides information that the hydrogen may exist in the material in an amount that far exceeds the amount that would be expected based on the porosity of the material. In aspects, the method indicates that the hydrogen in the material must be present in a form other than a gas, e.g., a condensed phase or chemically associated with the material, e.g., in the form of a hydride. In aspects, the method provides information that indicates the hydrogen is of a purity to be usable as a fuel. In aspects, the method demonstrates that the purity of the hydrogen meets or exceeds one or more government standards. In aspects, the methods demonstrate that the hydrogen is at least 95%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.9% or at least 99.995% pure relative to other gases in the material.

[0176] In aspects, the invention provides method(s) of applying two or more different force(s), e.g., differing in their type or degree, to a single sample, resulting in the extraction of helium, hydrogen, or both, wherein the force(s) applied is / are selected according to the target element. In aspects, a force can be, e.g., a temperature (e.g., the application of heat energy), a pressure force such as a vacuum, or any such force capable of detectably or significantly providing for the selective extraction of helium versus hydrogen or vice-versa. In aspects, the varying degree in a force can be, e.g., the application of two or more detectably or significantly different pressures, e.g., two or more pressures selected from 1 millibar, 2 millibars, 3 millibars, 4 millibars, 5 millibars, 6 millibars, 7 millibars, 8 millibars, 9 millibars, 10 millibars, 15 millibars, 20 millibars, 30 millibars, 40 millibars, 50 millibars, 75 millibars, 100 millibars, or higher, or, e.g., any pressure between such pressure(s) exemplified here. In one particular example, e.g., a first pressure of 20 millibars and a second pressure of 2 millibars may be used as the two different applied forces.

[0177] According to certain aspects, the technology herein provides a method of identifying a geologic seal formed by helium within a geologic unit, the geologic seal being a layer of material within the geologic unit comprising an amount of helium which is detectably or significantly greater than the amount of hydrogen, and wherein the layer is positioned adjacent to a layer of material within the geologic unit comprising an amount of hydrogen which is detectably or significantly greater than the amount of helium, the method comprising (a) collecting a plurality of material samples representing different locations within a geologic unit;(b) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy each material sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a force to the material sample to release one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, and (ii) a means for concentrating the hydrogen, helium or both which removes one or more volatile substance(s) other than hydrogen, helium, or both; (c) measuring the amount hydrogen and the amount of helium in each material sample released by the application of the force by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof, to establish a ratio of the amount of hydrogen to the amount of helium in each material sample; (d) comparing the amount of hydrogen to the amount of helium established in step (c) in the material samples to identify one or more locations within the geologic unit comprising an amount of helium which is detectably or significantly greater than the amount of hydrogen, and wherein the location is positioned adjacent to a layer of material within the geologic unit comprising an amount of hydrogen which is detectably or significantly greater than the amount of helium.

[0178] In one aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying one or more strata within a geological unit demonstrating a higher level of hydrogen purity than one or more other strata within the same geologic unit, wherein the purity of hydrogen is the amount of hydrogen present relative to the amount of helium present, the method comprising (a) collecting a plurality of material samples representing different strata within a geologic unit; (b) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each material sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a first force to each material sample to release a first aliquot of one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium; (ii) applying a second force to each material sample to release a second aliquot of one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, and wherein the one or more volatile substances released upon the application of the second force were not released upon application of the first force; (iii) applying or otherwise utilizing a means for concentrating the hydrogen, helium or both the hydrogen and the helium released from the application of the first force, the second force, or both, which removes one or more volatile substance(s) other than hydrogen, helium, or both; (iv) measuring the amount hydrogen, if present, and the amount of helium, if present, in the first aliquot of volatile substances released from each material sample by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof, (v) measuring the amount of hydrogen, if present, and the amount of helium, if present, in thesecond aliquot of volatile substances each material sample by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof; (c) comparing the amounts of hydrogen and helium measured in the first aliquot of each material sample in step (b)(iv) to the amounts of hydrogen and helium measured in the second aliquot of each material sample in step (b)(v); (d) identifying one or more material samples wherein the amount of hydrogen, the amount of helium, or both the amount of hydrogen and the amount of helium is / are different between the first aliquot and second aliquot; and (e) associating the material samples identified in (d) with strata within the geological unit having a higher hydrogen purity.

[0179] In one aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying one or more locations within a geological unit demonstrating a higher level of hydrogen purity than one or more other locations within the same geologic unit, wherein the purity of hydrogen is the amount of hydrogen present relative to the amount of helium present, the method comprising (a) collecting a plurality of material samples representing different locations within a geologic unit; (b) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each material sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a first force to each material sample to release a first aliquot of one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium; (ii) applying a second force to each material sample to release a second aliquot of one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, and wherein the one or more volatile substances released upon the application of the second force were not released upon the application of the first force; (iii) applying or otherwise utilizing a means for concentrating the hydrogen, helium or both the hydrogen and the helium released from the application of the first force, the second force, or both, which removes one or more volatile substance(s) other than hydrogen, helium, or both; (iv) applying or otherwise utilizing a means for concentrating the hydrogen, helium or both the hydrogen and the helium released from the application of the first force, the second force, or both, which removes one or more volatile substance(s) other than hydrogen, helium, or both; (v) measuring the amount hydrogen, if present, and the amount of helium, if present, in the first aliquot of volatile substances released from each material sample by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof, (vi) measuring the amount of hydrogen, if present, and the amount of helium, if present, in the second aliquot of volatile substances released from each material sample by an analytical method such as mass spectrometry or a suitable equivalent thereof; (c) comparing the amounts of hydrogen and helium measured in the first aliquot of each material sample in step(b)(iv) to the amounts of hydrogen and in the second aliquot of each material sample in step (b)(v); (d) identifying one or more material samples wherein the amount of hydrogen, the amount of helium, or both the amount of hydrogen and the amount of helium is / are different between the first aliquot and second aliquot; and (e) associating the material samples identified in (d) with strata within the geological unit having a higher hydrogen purity.

[0180] In certain aspects, a hydrogen payzone is identifiable as a zone where hydrogen is primarily present in a first, weak-extraction aliquot, e.g., aliquot A1 described herein. In certain aspects, a hydrogen payzone is identifiable as a zone where hydrogen is primarily found in stronger-extraction aliquot(s).

[0181] In one aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying a geologic seal within a geologic unit, the geologic seal being a first layer of material within the geologic unit comprising an amount of hydrogen which is detectably or significantly greater than the amount of hydrogen within a second layer of material more proximal to the surface of the Earth than the first layer of material, and wherein the first layer is positioned adjacent to and more proximal to the surface of the Earth than a third layer of material within the geologic unit comprising hydrogen, the method comprising (a) collecting a plurality of material samples representing different locations within a geologic unit; (b) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each material sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a first vacuum force of about 20 mbar for about 1 minute to the material sample to release a first aliquot of one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, (ii) a means for concentrating from the first aliquot the hydrogen, helium or both which means of concentrating removes one or more volatile substance(s) other than hydrogen, helium, or both, (iii) applying the first vacuum force for about 8 additional minutes to release a second aliquot of one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, (iv) applying the means for concentrating from the second aliquot the hydrogen, helium or both, (v) applying a second vacuum force of about 2 mbar for about 1minute to the material sample to release a third aliquot of one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, (vi) applying the means for concentrating from the third aliquot the hydrogen, helium or both, (vii) applying the second vacuum force for about 8 additional minutes to the material sample to release a fourth aliquot of one or more volatile substances, wherein the one or more volatile substances comprise hydrogen, helium, or both hydrogen and helium, and (viii) applying the means for concentrating from thefourth aliquot the hydrogen, helium or both, the amount hydrogen in each aliquot; (d) comparing the amount of hydrogen measured in each aliquot established in step (c) in each material sample to identify the first layer wherein the amount of hydrogen in the first aliquot is detectable or significantly more than the amount of hydrogen from the second aliquot, the third aliquot and the fourth aliquot from the same material sample and wherein the amount of hydrogen in the first aliquot from the first layer is detectably or significantly more than the first aliquot from the second layer and the first aliquot from the third layer and to identify the third layer wherein the amount of hydrogen from the fourth aliquot from the third layer is detectably or significantly more than the hydrogen from the first aliquot, the second aliquot and the third aliquot from the third layer.

[0182] Aspects related to pure hydrogen and pure helium zones, production, and evaluation of purity are further described by the Examples and associated figures provided herewith. Generation of Hydrogen in Materials and Analysis of Hydrogen-Generation Capacity Producing and Analyzing Hydrogen through fluid-rock Interactions in Sealed Tubes and Subsequent Analyses of the Volatiles in the Same Sealed Tube.

[0183] Much, perhaps most, hydrogen is believed to be generated by oxidation of reduced, divalent, ferrous iron (Fe2+) to oxidized, trivalent, ferric iron (Fe3+) through the reaction of ferrous iron with water in the subsurface via the reaction: 2Fe2+O + 2H2O -> Fe+32O3 + 2H2

[0184] This hydrogen producing reaction is often thought to occur in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks such as peridotites, eclogites, amphibolites, dunites, etcetera that are relatively rich in ferrous iron, and are often derived from the Earth’s upper mantle, or the Earth’s lower crustal zones in mafic volcanic provinces. The hydrogen production reaction is thought to often occur as part of the serpentinization process of converting ultra-mafic igneous rocks to serpentine.

[0185] It has been proposed by others that given the appropriate rock types that certain fluids may be able to be injected into such rocks through an appropriate well or array of wells to artificially produce synthetic hydrogen in the subsurface, and then to recover that hydrogen through the production of hydrogen via the same or associated wells.

[0186] The sealed at well containers used in our patented base technology for analyses of drill cuttings can be used to study the natural production of hydrogen in the subsurface, as well as studying potential rocks and fluids for synthetic hydrogen production so as to maximize anddetermine the best hydrogen producing hydrogen producing fluids, and the best combination of rocks and fluids for synthetic hydrogen production.

[0187] Atmospheric air, which normally occupies the head space in our sealed samples can be purged and replaced with an appropriate non-reactive gas such as argon, krypton or xenon, or others. A more reactive gas such as CO2, CO, or other reactive gas, might be used to purge and fill the head space to evaluate the effects of various reactive gases on hydrogen production.

[0188] If necessary, the tubes can be modified to minimize any chemical reactions of the fluid and rocks with the tube itself during these experiments. Also, the polymer seals can be modified or replaced, either using some other more temperature pressure resistant polymer such as Kevlar, or an appropriate metal seal, or some optimum combination of polymer(s) and metal(s) for the seal. Direct connection to the analytical apparatus might be made using stainless steel valves and fittings, or valves and fittings made of other appropriate materials such as PEEK. Or for some experiments our normal method of joining the sample tubes inner space to the instrument by passing a stainless-steel needle through a nitrile cap may prove the best and most efficient connection from the sample to the inlet of the apparatus.

[0189] Using these appropriate modifications a multitude of experiments can be performed using a variety ferrous-iron bearing rocks, or mixture of rocks, introduced as small cuttings-like particles, or as an intact micro-core that can be snuggly or loosely fit into the container, and using a variety of waters having differing salinities, dissolved solid compositions, and Ph and Eh, that can be loaded together and sealed into the tubes and subjected to elevated heat and pressure and a variety of mechanical, including vibrational and impact stresses, to determine the optimum rocks, temperature and pressure conditions, and possibly information for optimizing completion procedures to optimize the formation and recovery of synthetically produced hydrogen.

[0190] Following each experiment, the sample container can be appropriately interfaced with the analytical apparatus, previously patented, and the volatiles extracted and analyzed and evaluated for amounts of produced hydrogen. A higher level of classification can be performed by maintaining the sealed sample at higher temperatures, perhaps optimally at the estimated anticipated producing reservoir’s temperature, during extraction.

[0191] The data from these experiments will facilitate determining the optimum rocks and fluids for targeting and optimized drilling and completing, the optimum fluid to be injected into these selected rocks for optimum hydrogen generation and production.

[0192] Others have also suggested production of synthetic hydrogen can also be combined with the sequestration of carbon and sulfur compounds as solid residue in the produced zones. The rocks used to generate hydrogen in the experimental sample tubes can be removed from the tubes after the volatiles analyses process, and the efficiency of carbon and sulfur sequestration can be evaluated using XRD or XRF or other appropriate technology for identifying solid chemistries and mineralogic contents.

[0193] While data collected in these manners will have significant value in evaluating how best to produce synthetic hydrogen from subsurface formations, the methods described herein also have much positive potential in exploring for naturally occurring geologic hydrogen. Even though much is known from the geologic study of natural geologic hydrogen, the additional experimentally derive knowledge of optimum rock and fluid compositions and conditions for generating and naturally storing hydrogen realized by these procedures and experiments are directly applicable to designing, guiding, and realizing successful exploration for and production of geologic hydrogen.

[0194] In one aspect of the technology, methods are provided to identify rock that is high in ferrous oxide, e.g., >50%, >75%, >90%, or even greater than 99% w / w. Having identified such rock, an aqueous fluid may be injected into the rock to produce hydrogen which can be extracted in high purity, >95%, >99%, >99.9%, or even >99.95%.

[0195] Method(s) of the technology herein (in this section and elsewhere) are often provided in a single paragraph, disclosing multiple step(s) of such method(s). The reader should note that in certain respects, each step of the method should be interpreted as independently present and method(s) may not require each and every step disclosed even if step(s) are disclosed together.

[0196] In one aspect, the technology provides a method of synthetically producing and analyzing one or more target volatile substances through one or more fluid-rock interactions within a sealed container, the method comprising (a) collecting a plurality of samples of rock material, wherein the plurality of rock material samples represent a plurality of rock types; (b) placing each of the plurality of rock material samples in a selectively sealable container wherein the container (i) isolates the sample and any volatile substances associated with the sample or gas therein from the environment; (ii) comprises a portion that is selectively accessible by a device suitable for extracting a substance comprising one or more volatile substances therefrom; and (iii) is optionally adapted to be compressed without release of gases contained therein;to establish a plurality of containers each a rock material sample; (c) adding to each of the plurality of containers containing a rock material sample a fluid, wherein the fluid added is different for a plurality of containers containing a rock sample and wherein at least one of the fluids added to at least one of the plurality of containers containing a rock sample causes the generation of one or more target volatile substances, the generation of one or more target volatile substances to establish an amount of one or more target volatile substances consisting of (i) any amount of each of the target volatile substances which was present in the rock material sample prior to the addition of the fluid in combination with (ii) the amount of each target volatile compound generated upon the addition of the fluid; (d) immediately sealing each container to establish a plurality of sealed containers each containing a rock-fluid combination sample; (e) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each rock-fluid combination sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a force to one or more of the plurality of containers containing a rock-fluid combination sample, wherein the application of the force results in the release of one or more volatile substances from the rock material sample, wherein the one or more volatile substances may comprise one or more of the target volatile substances, but wherein the one or more volatile substances remains within the container containing the rock-fluid combination sample until actively withdrawn for analysis; (ii) optionally applying an additional one or more forces to one or more of the plurality of containers containing a rock-fluid combination sample, wherein each of the additional one or more forces is detectably or significantly different from the force of (e)(i) and the application of each additional force results in the release of one or more volatile substances which are detectably or significantly different from one another and from the one or more volatile substances released in (e)(i) and which may comprise one or more of the one or more target volatile substances, but which also remain within the container containing the rock-fluid combination sample until actively withdrawn for analysis; wherein (e)(i) and (e)(iii) establish a force profile applied to each container containing the rock- fluid combination sample; (iii) optionally concentrating one or more of the one or more volatile substances released in one or both of (e)(i) and (e)(ii) by applying or otherwise utilizing a collection means to collect one or more of the volatile substances released by the application of the force profile, wherein one or more of the volatile substances collected by the collection means may comprise one or more of the target volatile substances; (iv) optionally applying a force to the collection means, if applicable, to cause the release of one or more volatile substances captured by the collection means, wherein one or more of the volatile substances released may be one or more of the target volatile substances ; and (v) actively withdrawing fromthe sealed container and measuring the one target volatile substances in each container containing a rock-fluid combination sample and further optionally measuring one or more additional volatile substances in each container which are not target volatile substances; and (f) characterizing the amount of each target volatile compound resulting from each rock-fluid combination sample and any associated applied force profile and determining which rock-fluid combination and associated force profile results in yielding the highest amount of each target volatile compound.

[0197] In one aspect, the technology provides a method of synthetically producing and analyzing one or more target volatile substances through one or more fluid-rock interactions within a sealed container, the method comprising (a) collecting a plurality of samples of rock material, wherein the plurality of rock material samples represent a plurality of rock types; (b) placing each of the plurality of rock material samples in a selectively sealable container wherein the container (i) isolates the sample and any volatile substances associated with the sample or gas therein from the environment; (ii) comprises a portion that is selectively accessible by a device suitable for extracting a substance comprising one or more volatile substances therefrom; and (iii) is optionally adapted to be compressed without release of gases contained therein; to establish a plurality of containers each containing a rock material sample; (c) adding to each of the plurality of containers containing a rock material sample a fluid, wherein the fluid added is different for a plurality of containers containing a rock sample and wherein at least one of the fluids added to at least one of the plurality of containers containing a rock sample causes the generation of one or more target volatile substances, the generation of one or more target volatile substances to establish an amount of one or more target volatile substances consisting of (i) any amount of each of the target volatile substances which was present in the rock material sample prior to the addition of the fluid in combination with (ii) the amount of each target volatile compound generated upon the addition of the fluid, and wherein each of the target volatile substances has a purity level relative to one or more other volatile substances; (d) immediately sealing each container to establish a plurality of sealed containers each containing a rock-fluid combination sample; (e) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each rock-fluid combination sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a force to one or more of the plurality of containers containing a rock-fluid combination sample, wherein the application of the force results in the release of one or more volatile substances from the rock material sample, wherein the one or more volatile substances may comprise one or more of the target volatile substances, but wherein the one or more volatile substances remains within thecontainer containing the rock-fluid until actively withdrawn for analysis; (ii) optionally applying an additional one or more forces to one or more of the plurality of containers containing a rock-fluid combination sample, wherein each of the additional one or more forces is detectably or significantly different from the force of (e)(i) and the application of each additional force results in the release of one or more volatile substances which are detectably or significantly different from one another and from the one or more volatile substances released in (e)(i) and which may comprise one or more of the one or more target volatile substances, but which also remain within the container containing the rock-fluid combination sample until actively withdrawn for analysis; wherein (e)(i) and (e)(iii) establish a force profile applied to each container containing the rock-fluid combination sample; (iii) optionally concentrating one or more of the one or more volatile substances released in one or both of (e)(i) and (e)(ii) by applying or otherwise utilizing a collection means to collect one or more of the volatile substances released by the application of the force profile, wherein one or more of the volatile substances collected by the collection means may comprise one or more of the target volatile substances; (iv) optionally applying a force to the collection means, if applicable, to cause the release of one or more volatile substances captured by the collection means, wherein one or more of the volatile substances released may be one or more of the target volatile substances; and (v) actively withdrawing from the sealed container and measuring the one or more target volatile substances in each container containing a rock-fluid combination sample and further optionally measuring one or more additional volatile substances in each container which are not target volatile substances; (f) characterizing the amount of each target volatile compound resulting from each rock-fluid combination sample and any associated applied force profile and determining which rock-fluid combination and associated force profile results in yielding the highest amount of each target volatile compound; and (g) characterizing the purity of each target volatile compound resulting from each rock-fluid combination sample and any associated force profile and determining which rock-fluid combination and associated force profile results in the highest purity of each target volatile compound.

[0198] In one aspect, the technology provides a method of producing and analyzing hydrogen through one or more fluid-rock interactions, the method comprising (a) collecting a plurality of samples of rock material, wherein the plurality of rock material samples represent a plurality of rock types; (b) placing each of the plurality of rock material samples in a selectively sealable container wherein the container (i) isolates the sample and any volatile substances associated with the sample or gas therein from the environment; (ii) comprises a portion that isselectively accessible by a device suitable a substance comprising one or more volatile substances therefrom; and (iii) is optionally adapted to be compressed without release of gases contained therein; to establish a plurality of containers each containing a rock material sample; (c) adding to each of the plurality of containers containing a rock material sample a fluid, wherein the fluid added is different for a plurality of containers containing a rock sample and wherein at least one of the fluids added to at least one of the plurality of containers containing a rock sample causes the generation of one or more target volatile substances, the generation of one or more target volatile substances to establish an amount of one or more target volatile substances consisting of (i) any amount of each of the target volatile substances which was present in the rock material sample prior to the addition of the fluid in combination with (ii) the amount of each target volatile compound generated upon the addition of the fluid; (d) immediately sealing each container to establish a plurality of sealed containers each containing a rock-fluid combination sample; (e) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each rock- fluid combination sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a force to one or more of the plurality of containers containing a rock-fluid combination sample, wherein the application of the force results in the release of one or more volatile substances from the rock material sample, wherein the one or more volatile substances may comprise one or more of the target volatile substances, but wherein the one or more volatile substances remains within the container containing the rock-fluid combination sample until actively withdrawn for analysis; (ii) optionally applying an additional one or more forces to one or more of the plurality of containers containing a rock-fluid combination sample, wherein each of the additional one or more forces is detectably or significantly different from the force of (e)(i) and the application of each additional force results in the release of one or more volatile substances which are detectably or significantly different from one another and from the one or more volatile substances released in (e)(i) and which may comprise one or more of the one or more target volatile substances, but which also remain within the container containing the rock-fluid combination sample until actively withdrawn for analysis; wherein (e)(i) and (e)(iii) establish a force profile applied to each container containing the rock-fluid combination sample; (iii) optionally concentrating one or more of the one or more volatile substances released in one or both of (e)(i) and (e)(ii) by applying or otherwise utilizing a collection means to collect one or more of the volatile substances released by the application of the force profile, wherein one or more of the volatile substances collected by the collection means may comprise one or more of the target volatile substances; (iv) optionally applying a force to the collection means, if applicable, to cause therelease of one or more volatile substances by the collection means, wherein one or more of the volatile substances released may be one or more of the target volatile substances; and (v) actively withdrawing from the sealed container and measuring the one or more target volatile substances in each container containing a rock-fluid combination sample and further optionally measuring one or more additional volatile substances in each container which are not target volatile substances; and (f) characterizing the amount of each target volatile compound resulting from each rock-fluid combination sample and any associated applied force profile and determining which rock-fluid combination and associated force profile results in yielding the highest amount of each target volatile compound.

[0199] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, the method comprising (a) collecting one or more samples of rock material, wherein the one or more rock material samples represent a plurality of rock types collected from one or more locations of the geologic unit; (b) placing each of the plurality of rock material samples in a selectively sealable container wherein the container (i) isolates the sample and any volatile substances associated with the sample or gas therein from the environment; (ii) comprises a portion that is selectively accessible by a device suitable for extracting a substance comprising one or more volatile substances therefrom; and (iii) is optionally adapted to be compressed without release of gases contained therein; to establish a plurality of containers each containing a rock material sample; (c) adding to each of the plurality of containers containing a rock material sample a fluid, wherein the fluid added is different for a plurality of containers containing a rock sample and wherein at least one of the fluids added to at least one of the plurality of containers containing a rock sample causes the generation of hydrogen, the generation of hydrogen establishing an amount of hydrogen consisting of (i) any amount of hydrogen which was present in the rock material sample prior to the addition of the fluid in combination with (ii) the amount of hydrogen generated upon the addition of the fluid; (d) immediately sealing each container to establish a plurality of sealed containers each containing a rock-fluid combination sample; (e) applying a rock volatile stratigraphy method to each rock- fluid combination sample, the rock volatile stratigraphy method comprising (i) applying a force to one or more of the plurality of containers containing a rock-fluid combination sample, wherein the application of the force results in the release of one or more volatile substances from the rock material sample, wherein the one or more volatile substances may comprise hydrogen, but wherein the one or more volatile substances remains within the container containing the rock- fluid combination sample until actively withdrawn for analysis; (ii) optionally applying anadditional one or more forces to one or plurality of containers containing a rock-fluid combination sample, wherein each of the additional one or more forces is detectably or significantly different from the force of (e)(i) and the application of each additional force results in the release of one or more volatile substances which are detectably or significantly different from one another and from the one or more volatile substances released in (e)(i) and which may comprise hydrogen, but which also remain within the container containing the rock-fluid combination sample until actively withdrawn for analysis; wherein (e)(i) and (e)(iii) establish a force profile applied to each container containing the rock-fluid combination sample; (iii) optionally concentrating one or more of the one or more volatile substances released in one or both of (e)(i) and (e)(ii) by applying or otherwise utilizing a collection means to collect one or more of the volatile substances released by the application of the force profile; and (iv) actively withdrawing from the sealed container and measuring hydrogen in each container containing a rock-fluid combination sample; (f) characterizing the amount of hydrogen resulting from each rock-fluid combination sample and any associated applied force profile and determining which rock-fluid combination and associated force profile results in yielding the highest amount of hydrogen.

[0200] In aspects, the technology provides a method for evaluating the hydrogen generation capacity of a material comprising, (a) obtaining a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material; (b) contacting the material with an aqueous liquid under conditions that will result in hydrogen generation if the material is an effective hydrogen-generating material, to form a water-treated material; (c) subjecting the water-treated material to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extract one or more easily released volatile substances from the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising hydrogen, at least one hydrogen proxy, or both; (d) collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances; (e) measuring the hydrogen content, hydrogen proxy content, or both the hydrogen and hydrogen proxy content of the portion in the portion; and (f) evaluating the ability of the material to generate hydrogen from the measurement or measurements obtained from step (e).

[0201] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, wherein the material is a sample of a geologic material obtained from a geologic unit.

[0202] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, wherein the material comprises a rock material comprising ferrous oxide.

[0203] In aspects, the technology a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, wherein the method further comprises (1) obtaining a plurality of compositionally similar samples of the material and (b) contacting each sample of the plurality of compositionally similar samples with an aqueous substance selected from at least two different aqueous substances, wherein the at least two different aqueous substances differ in one or more physiochemical properties, and wherein the method is used to further evaluate the impact of using the different aqueous substances on the generation of hydrogen from the material.

[0204] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, wherein the at least two different aqueous substances differ in salinity, dissolved solids, pH, Eh (oxidation-reduction potential), or a combination of any or all thereof.

[0205] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, wherein the method further comprises (1) obtaining a plurality of compositionally similar samples of the material and (b) contacting each sample of the plurality of compositionally similar samples with an aqueous substance under different environmental conditions, and wherein the method is used to further evaluate the impact of the different environmental conditions on the generation of hydrogen from the material.

[0206] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, wherein the different conditions comprise application of different mechanical stresses, different temperature conditions, different pressure conditions, or a combination of any or all thereof.

[0207] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, wherein the method further comprises evaluating the material’s ability to efficiently sequester carbon, sulfur, or both.

[0208] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, wherein the evaluation of the material’s ability to effectively sequester carbon, sulfur, or both comprises application of x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), or equivalent means for identifying material chemistry, and using the results thereof to compare against empirical data in evaluating the material’s ability to effectively sequester carbon, sulfur, or both.

[0209] In aspects, the technology provides a method of synthetic hydrogen production from a geologic unit, comprising (1) contacting a material identified as an effective hydrogen- generating material and (2) collecting at least a portion of the generated hydrogen.

[0210] Aspects related to the hydrogen in materials and the analysis of hydrogen are further described by the Examples and associated figures provided herewith. Time-Differentiated Extraction of Substances

[0211] According to aspects, inventive technology(ies) provided herein are directed to obtaining and analyzing a plurality of aliquots of volatile substance(s) extracted from material sample(s), wherein each of the plurality of aliquots are obtained under different extraction states, wherein an extraction state is defined at least in part by the type of extraction force, the strength of the extraction force, the time the extraction force is applied, and combination(s) thereof. In aspects, application of such a plurality of extraction states, e.g., at least about 3 or at least about 4 extraction states provides actionable insight(s) regarding the presence or absence of commercially relevant resource(s), such as, e.g., hydrogen, and the location(s) within a geologic unit where such resource(s) are located. In certain aspects, step(s) of method(s) related to the use of multi-aliquot rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) can be applied to any suitable material, not just rock materials. In aspects, analysis can be of any volatile substance, e.g., hydrogen and other volatile substances such as, e.g., helium and others, including but not limited to ammonia, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.

[0212] According to aspects, technology(ies) provided herein are directed to multi- aliquot extraction method(s), wherein, at least 2, at least 3, or at least 4 or more aliquots are obtained. In aspects, aliquots referenced here are aliquots of non-condensable volatile(s) obtained by the application of different extraction states.

[0213] In summary, testing rock across different depths of the well can yield useful data about the presence of a given resource, e.g., H2. However, as discussed here, limited extraction state(s) are applied, e.g., a single extraction state is applied or two extraction states are applied, no hydrogen at one or more locations may be observed or one may be misled as to how tightly the H2 is held. For example, if it is tight rock, H2 may be present but weak extraction states (e.g., A1 or A2 exemplified herein) are note sufficient to get it out; or, similarly if only a strong extraction state (e.g., B1 or B2 exemplified herein) is used, such state(s) may be strong enough to release any H2 present, regardless of how tightly it is held. Obtaining the multiple aliquots (different pressures, different times) provides granularity as to (a) where H2 is located and (b) what type of rock is present at each location (loose vs. tight). Further, the relationship(s) of the various aliquot profiles to one another across depths can tell you something about where pay zones of H2 may be located. In certain aspects, easy to extract (high A1 aliquot, low otheraliquots) located above hard to extract (high low other aliquots) may indicate that a seal exists – H2 is caught below a seal. The seal is over rock which has held onto lots of H2 (given the size of a B2 peak) due to the high pressure caused by the seal – it is saturated rock. That H2 is still there and hasn’t been lost, whereas elsewhere, H2 gets lost because the rock is unable to hold onto it and there is no seal keeping it from escaping.

[0214] In certain aspects, extraction states vary by the type of extraction force applied in the generation of each of a multitude of aliquots, e.g., crushing, vacuum pressure, temperature, etc. In aspects, extraction states vary by the strength of force applied in the generation of each of a multitude of aliquots, e.g., the strength of vacuum pressure applied. In aspects, the type of extraction force applied in the generation of each of a multitude of aliquots vary by the length of time an extraction force is applied, such as, e.g., a time ranging from, e.g., about 10 sec to about 15 min, e.g., ~30 sec - ~15 min, ~45 sec - ~15 min, 10 sec to about 10 min, e.g., ~30 sec - ~10 min, ~45 sec - ~10 min, 1 min to about 10 min, e.g., ~1 min - ~10 min, ~1 min - ~9 min, or, e.g., e.g., ~30 sec - ~2 min, ~6 min - ~10 min, or, e.g., ~1 min - ~8 min.

[0215] In certain specific aspects, disclosed herein are multi-aliquot RVS methods wherein at least 3, e.g., at least 4 aliquots are obtained, wherein at least two aliquots vary by the strength of a single extraction force, e.g., a vacuum force; at least two aliquots vary by the time such a single extraction force is applied, or both are true.

[0216] In one specific example, a first extraction state yielding a first aliquot of volatile(s) extracted from a material sample comprises a relatively weak vacuum pressure applied for a relatively short period of time, e.g., a vacuum pressure of about 20 mbar applied for between about 10 sec and about 2 min, such as, e.g., for about 1 min. In aspects, such an aliquot, e.g., “A1” represents the gentlest extraction, trapping non-condensable gas (NCG) within, e.g., in less than about 1 minute after sample volatiles are inlet into the static-vacuum inlet system. These volatiles are captured with the least energy of the 4 NCG extracts, and as such are the most easily extracted volatiles.

[0217] In another specific example, a second extraction state yielding a second aliquot of volatile(s) extracted from a material sample comprises a relatively weak vacuum pressure, e.g., the same relatively weak vacuum pressure, applied for a relatively longer period of time, e.g., a vacuum pressure of about 20 mbar applied for between about 5 min and about 15 min, e.g., for about 8 min. In aspects, such an aliquot, e.g., “A2” is also part of a first aliquot of volatiles to be analyzed, but these gas samples are trapped at the end of the approximately 8 minute extraction of volatiles from the sample under the more gentle vacuum conditions, starting at about, e.g., 20millibars. These volatiles are extracted from in the fabric of the rock cuttings than the A1 data.

[0218] In aspects, a third extraction state yielding a third aliquot of volatile(s) extracted from a material sample comprises a relatively stronger vacuum pressure (but, e.g., still a vacuum pressure characterizable as a gentle vacuum), applied for a relatively short period of time, e.g., a vacuum pressure of about 2 mbar applied for between about 10 sec and about 2 min, such as, e.g., for about 1 min. In aspects, such an aliquot, e.g., “B1” is the gentler aliquot 2 volatiles extraction, captured in less than 1 minute after the extraction chamber vacuum has been dropped to about 2 millibars pressure (representing a vacuum pressure increase). These volatiles are extracted from deeper in the fabric of the rock cuttings than the A1 and A1 data.

[0219] In aspects, a fourth extraction state yielding a fourth aliquot of volatile(s) extracted from a material sample comprises a relatively stronger vacuum pressure, e.g., the same relatively stronger vacuum pressure, applied for a relatively longer period of time, e.g., a vacuum pressure of about 2 mbar applied for between about 5 min and about 15 min, e.g., for about 8 min. In aspects, such an aliquot, e.g., “B2” data are the last volatiles to be trapped at the end of the B2 volatiles extraction for about 8 minutes. These are the volatiles extracted from the deepest parts of the cuttings samples.

[0220] According to aspects, samples utilized in obtaining such aliquots are sealed at the well samples and are not physically crushed prior to volatiles extraction. In alternative aspects, such samples could further be extracted to crushing as part of an extraction step.

[0221] In certain aspects, the amount of one or more volatiles extracted varies by aliquot, e.g., varies by extraction state applied. In certain aspects, one or more volatiles can be present in DOS quantity(ies) in one aliquot but not another. For example, in certain aspects, hydrogen may be present in one aliquot in DOS quantities but not other aliquots. If a target analyte, e.g., hydrogen, were to be absent from a single or multiple aliquots collected according to particular extraction states, but present in at least one aliquot obtainable by a different extraction state which is not applied and thus such an aliquot is not collected and analyzed, it would appear that such a target analyte, e.g., hydrogen, is not present in the material sample, e.g., is not present at the location from which the material sample is collected.

[0222] In a more specific example, in certain aspects, if only a single extraction force e.g., a vacuum pressure, is used to obtain volatile(s), e.g., hydrogen, from material sample(s), e.g., drill cuttings in methods of identifying target location(s) for resource such as hydrogen production; if a single extraction force strength, e.g., a relatively weak gentle vacuum extractionforce, e.g., a force of about 20 mbar, is used volatile(s), e.g., hydrogen, from material sample(s), e.g., drill cuttings in methods of identifying target location(s) for resource such as hydrogen production; or, e.g., if a single extraction force application time, e.g., a relatively short extraction time, e.g., an extraction time of less than about 5, ≤~4, ≤~3, ≤~2 or ≤1 minute, is used to obtain volatile(s), e.g., hydrogen, from material sample(s), e.g., drill cuttings, in methods of identifying targets for resource (hydrogen) production, but the target resource (hydrogen) is only detectable under a different extraction force, a different extraction force strength, or when exposed to a / the extraction force for a different period of time, then it would appear that such a resource is not present in the material, e.g., material sample collected from a location under consideration for potential resource production.

[0223] This can be misleading, and result in potential targets for resource production being missed. In aspects, it is now demonstrated that how easy volatile(s) are released from material(s) is useful / insightful information.

[0224] In aspects, provided herein are multi-aliquot analytical method(s), e.g., multi- aliquot rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) wherein a plurality of combination(s) of extraction force(s), extraction force strength(s), and extraction force application time(s) are used to identify possible location(s) for resource production. In aspects, provided herein are multi-aliquot analytical method(s), e.g., multi-aliquot rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) wherein a plurality of combination(s) of extraction force(s), extraction force strength(s), and extraction force application time(s) are used to identify possible location(s) for resource production wherein if one or more aliquots of such a multi-aliquot analysis were not obtained or were not available for analysis, one would not identify a likely resource payzone which is otherwise identifiable in the presence of such aliquot(s).

[0225] According to aspects, extraction force(s) applied herein are gentle vacuum forces or gentle vacuum equivalent forces. In aspects, sample(s) are subjected to a single gentle vacuum force or single gentle vacuum equivalent force, however for at least two different periods of time. In certain respects, such extraction state(s) yield different amount(s) of one or more target volatile(s), e.g., hydrogen. According to aspects, sample(s) are subjected to at least two different gentle vacuum forces or gentle vacuum equivalent forces, however for a single (the same) period of time. In certain respects, such extraction state(s) yield different amount(s) of one or more target volatile(s), e.g., hydrogen. According to aspects, sample(s) are subjected to at least two different gentle vacuum forces or gentle vacuum equivalent forces and are further subjected to such different gentle vacuum forces or gentle vacuum equivalent forces for different periods oftime. In certain respects, such extraction different amount(s) of one or more target volatile(s), e.g., hydrogen.

[0226] In aspects, method(s) of target resource production location(s) (or, e.g., also or alternatively target resource production location(s) comprising step(s) described above identify locations likely to be payzones for the target resource, e.g., hydrogen.

[0227] In certain specific embodiments, sample(s) are subjected to a first gentle vacuum extraction force, e.g., a force of between about 10 mbar and about 30 mbar, such as, e.g., ~15 mbar - ~25 mbar, e.g., ~20 mbar, for a first time period, e.g., a time of about 30 sec to about 3 min, e.g., ~45 sec - ~2 min, or, e.g., ~1 min. In aspects, a first aliquot is obtained under such conditions. Samples are then subjected to the same gentle vacuum extraction force, but for a second time period, e.g., a time of about 5 min to about 10 min, e.g., ~7 min - ~9 min, or, e.g., ~8 min. In aspects, a second aliquot is obtained under such conditions. Samples are then subjected to a different, e.g., stronger gentle vacuum extraction force, e.g., a force of between about 0.5 mbar and about 5 mbar, e.g., ~1 mbar - ~3 mbar, e.g., ~2 mbar, for a first time period, e.g., a time period of about 30 sec to about 3 min, e.g., ~45 sec - ~2 min, or, e.g., ~1 min. A third aliquot is obtained under such conditions. Samples are then subjected to the same stronger gentle vacuum force but for a second time period, e.g., a time of about 5 min to about 10 min, e.g., ~7 min - ~9 min, or, e.g., ~8 min. In aspects, a fourth aliquot is obtained under such conditions. Upon the collection of all aliquots, data from each aliquot for each analyte measured can be plotted. Differences in the amount(s) of the analyte relative to one another at different depths from which samples were collected can be considered.

[0228] In certain aspects, the identification of locations comprising a high amount of relatively easily extractable target substance indicates a potential payzone, or target location for resource production.

[0229] In certain alternative aspects, the identification of locations comprising a high amount of target resource that is DOS more extractable under the stronger extraction conditions, located in locations below, deeper to, locations at which high amounts of more loosely held resource (hydrogen) indicate a potential payzone or target location for resource production. In aspects, such scenarios may indicate that a cap exists. In aspects a cap may be a helium cap. In aspects, samples at a depth indicating a possible depth can be tested for, e.g., helium, to validate such a prediction. In aspects, the identification of such scenarios indicate that the resource (hydrogen) is so loosely held and so readily accessible that the majority of it is lost before reaching the Earth’s surface across most depths. Above the cap, hydrogen is not identifiable inweaker extraction aliquots because it has Below the cap the hydrogen is trapped; it is or may be abundant and is identifiable as readily releasable just under the cap. However, further below the cap, the resource (hydrogen) again does not appear in the weaker extraction aliquots, because it has migrated up to the cap. Deeper to such an abundance of readily releasable resource (hydrogen) an increase in tightly held resource is observed while aliquots measuring loser-held hydrogen at such depths demonstrate little to no hydrogen. This can indicate that the hydrogen is abundant at this location. The seal is preventing hydrogen from migrating and a possible payzone exists in tightly held H2 form.

[0230] According to aspects, aliquot(s) comprise only non-condensable gases. In certain aspects, the disclosure here can be applied to all rock volatile stratigraphy (RVS) methods disclosed here and further disclosed in Prior Smith Patents, wherein in aspects such RVS method(s) comprise volatile trapping (e.g., the presence of a cryotrap) and wherein alternative aspects such RVS method(s) do not comprise volatile trapping (e.g., no cryotrap is present) and further in methods wherein sample crushing is applied as one extraction force and alternatively no sample crushing is applied. In aspects, applicable RVS method(s) can comprise use of any suitable analytical instrument such as, e.g., a mass spectrophotometer. In aspects where a trapping device is used, trapped volatiles may or may not be released and may or may not be analyzed. In aspects, trapped volatile(s) can be intermittently released, intermittently analyzed, or both. In aspects, speed and sampling density are relevant to such an analysis, as speed and sampling density can DOS improve the resolution of where potential payzones exist. In aspects, device(s) provided herein can be used to DOS improve such resolution by, e.g., increasing the speed and sampling density but still yielding multi-aliquot analyses.

[0231] In certain aspects, method(s) disclosed here can be applied to petroleum exploration, hydrogen exploration, helium exploration, carbon sequestration endeavors, carbon storage endeavors, and other geological exploration and exploitation-related endeavors.

[0232] Aspects related to the multi-aliquot and extraction-state differentiated analysis of hydrogen and other substances are further described by the Examples and associated figures provided herewith. Multiple Noncondensable Extractions

[0233] Another aspect of the technology described herein provides the initially exclusive, primary, or exclusive use of non-condensable gas portion(s) of easily extracted volatile substance(s) from sample(s) (hereinafter “the portion(s)”) for analysis. The portion(s) may be the primary or only source of non-condensable gas(es).

[0234] In aspects, the portion(s) here are obtained by the application of force(s), e.g., vacuum force(s), to sample(s) and passing easily extracted volatile substance(s) from the sample(s) through location(s) to condense condensable gas(es) from the easily extracted volatile substance(s). In aspects, such location(s) comprise a cryotrap with a temperature of about -100 degrees Celsius. The easily extracted volatile substance(s) having been passed through location(s) in aspects then comprise primarily, or exclusively all non-condensable gas(es), e.g., hydrogen, helium, argon, nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, non-condensable hydrocarbon(s), e.g. hydrocarbon(s) other than ethane and methane, and other gas(es) that are not condensable when passed through, e.g. a cryotrap.

[0235] In aspects, more than one portion described here is generated from a sample by subjecting the sample to more than one condition, e.g., a vacuum, an amount of time, or both a vacuum and amount of time. and passing easily extracted volatile substance(s) from the sample(s) through location(s) to condense condensable gas(es) from the easily extracted volatile substance(s). Such location(s) may comprise a cryotrap with a temperature of about -100 degrees Celsius. In aspects, the easily extracted volatile substance(s), having been passed through location(s), now comprise primarily, or exclusively all non-condensable gas(es), e.g., hydrogen, helium, argon, nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, non-condensable hydrocarbon(s), e.g. hydrocarbon(s) other than ethane and methane, and other gas(es) that are not condensable when passed through, e.g. a cryotrap. In aspects, the composition of the non-condensable gas(es) may be different than those obtained in a first portion, i.e., different volatile substances, fewer or greater, different amounts of the same volatile substances in the first portion, or both.

[0236] The portion(s) described here, in aspects, are analyzed to assist in hydrogen / helium exploration and production, e.g., for the amount of hydrogen, helium and hydrogen proxies, e.g., ammonia, water, nitrogen, and oxygen, wherein nitrogen and oxygen are analyzed in conjunction with argon.

[0237] The portion(s) described here may be additionally analyzed to assist in hydrocarbon exploration and production.

[0238] In aspects, portion(s) herein may be analyzed to assist in carbon sequestration, sulfur sequestration, both carbon and sulfur sequestration, or non-carbon, non-sulfur compound(s) sequestration.

[0239] Aspects related to the formation of multiple, non-condensable extractions, e.g., portions, are further described relative to the disclosure of Examples and associated figures provided herewith.

[0240] According to embodiment(s), disclosed herein are device(s) for the rapid analysis of one or more volatile substances, e.g., easily extracted volatile substance(s), e.g., hydrogen and helium, among others.

[0241] In aspects, device(s) provided herein are designed for use in conjunction with solid or semi-solid material samples, e.g., rock material samples, e.g., solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material(s) from which at least two easily extracted volatile substances obtained.

[0242]

[0243] However, as discussed above successful geologic hydrogen exploration and production is not simply a matter of producing very large volumes of hydrogen, but very much requires the production of very pure hydrogen if that hydrogen is to be used for energy production.

[0244] Work in the field of resource exploration has shown that hydrogen purity varies stratigraphically, with hydrogen-rich zones occurring juxtaposed to Helium-rich zones. It is not known to what scale such zoning occurs. For example, large oil fields in the Mexico portions of the Gulf of Mexico found large oil deposits disseminated in a multitude of fine layers, layers too thin to be realized by state-of-the-art wireline assessment. The resource was only realized by extensive coring. Without taking such expensive cores this resource may not have been realized.

[0245] What is the required for fine scale stratigraphic identification of pure hydrogen zones is nearly as continuous as possible method of analyzing hydrogen and related volatiles in cuttings at a well site as quickly as practical after the cuttings arrival at the surface, and to dispose of those cuttings from the apparatus.

[0246] Technology(ies) disclosed herein comprise a device capable of providing nearly continuous sampling and analysis of drill cuttings collected from an active drilling operation, wherein the device further disposes such cuttings from the device upon completion of analysis.

[0247] Device(s) herein comprise a chamber that quickly inlets bulk cuttings samples into the vacuum inlet, quickly extracts hydrogen and other volatiles, if desired moves these volatiles though or near a cryogenic trap to remove other hydrogen bearing species such as water and hydrocarbons, passes that gas through appropriate inlets into an analytical device, e.g., the high vacuum mass spectrometer chamber, where those volatiles are rapidly analyzed while the previous cuttings sample is discarded and the following cuttings sample is being extracted.

[0248] In one aspect, the inlet design of the device is similar to a horizontal revolving door. In aspects, material samples, e.g., cuttings samples (“cuttings”) are loaded through an openport at the top of the device, moved, e.g., to a horizontal volatiles extraction position, then moved, e.g., rotated, to a bottom section where the cuttings are discarded using gravity. In aspects, the process is repeated as quickly as possible to provide the densest cuttings hydrogen and other volatiles log possible. These data generated, e.g., generated at a well site, are used to aid in directing drilling decisions, select zones for other types of testing and analyses, monitor for rig hazards, and to define depths for other testing of cuttings for chemical and physical characterization. Characteristics Location

[0249] In aspects, device(s) can be located at a resource exploration, e.g., a resource production site. In aspects, device(s) can be located at an active drilling site.

[0250] In aspects, device(s) are located a sufficient distance from the possum belly to DOS reduce risk of sparking, e.g., to reduce fire risk. In aspects, devices are located in a mud shack. In aspects, device(s) are located near the slew of an active drilling site.

[0251] Due to its potential location at an active drilling site, device(s) herein are characterizable as well-site analyzer(s).

[0252] According to aspects, device(s) herein are compact enough such that it can be deployed at a well site to enable highly refined data to indicate where resources are located that would not otherwise be located. According to aspects, device(s) herein are fast enough that it can be deployed at a well site to enable highly refined data to indicate where resources are located that would not otherwise be located. According to aspects, device(s) herein are both sufficiently compact and fast such that they are suitable for deployment at a well site. Speed

[0253] According to aspects, well site analyzer(s) operate at speed of sample collection and analysis of between about 1 inch (in, or ”) and about 5 feet (ft, or ’) per sample, e.g., ~1 in - ~4 ft, ~1 in - ~3 ft, ~1 in - ~2 ft, or, e.g., ~1 in - ~1 ft per sample, such as, e.g., ~2 in - ~5 ft, ~4 in - ~5 ft, ~6 in - ~5 ft, ~8 in - ~5 ft, ~10 in - ~5 ft, or, e.g., ~1 ft - ~5 ft, as in, e.g., ~2 in - ~4 ft, ~4 in - ~3 ft, ~6 in - ~2 ft, ~1 in - ~18 in, ~8 in - ~16 in, or ~10 in - ~14 in, such as, e.g., about 1 foot per sample.

[0254] In aspects, well site analyzer(s) herein operate at a speed of between about 10 ft and about 2000 ft per hour (hr), such as, e.g., ~10 ft - ~1800 ft, ~10 ft - ~1600 ft, ~10 ft - ~1400 ft, ~10 ft - ~1200 ft, ~10 ft - ~1000 ft, or ~10 ft - ~900 ft per hour, as in, e.g., ~50 ft - ~2000 ft,~100 ft - ~2000 ft, ~150 ft - ~2000 ft, - ft, ~250 ft - ~2000 ft, ~300 ft - ~2000 ft, ~350 ft - ~2000 ft, ~400 ft - ~2000 ft, ~450 ft - ~2000 ft, ~500 ft - ~2000 ft, ~550 ft - ~2000 ft, ~600 ft - ~2000 ft, ~650 ft - ~2000 ft, ~700 ft - ~2000 ft, ~750 ft - ~2000 ft, ~800 ft - ~2000 ft, ~850 ft - ~2000 ft, or, e.g., ~900 ft - ~2000 ft per hour, as in, e.g., ~100 ft - ~1800 ft, ~200 ft - ~1600 ft, ~300 ft - ~1400 ft, ~400 ft - ~1200 ft, ~500 ft - ~1150 ft, ~600 ft - ~1100 ft, ~700 ft - ~1050 ft, ~800 ft - ~1000 ft, or, e.g., ~900 feet per hour.

[0255] In aspects, well site analyzer(s) herein operate at such a speed that drill cuttings samples can be analyzed at between about every 1 foot and about 50 feet of well depth, such as, e.g., ~1 ft - ~ 45 ft, ~1 ft - ~ 40 ft, ~1 ft - ~ 35 ft, ~1 ft - ~ 30 ft, ~1 ft - ~ 25 ft, ~1 ft - ~ 20 ft, or every ~1 ft - ~ 15 ft of well depth, such as, for example, every ~2 ft - ~ 50 ft, ~4 ft - ~ 50 ft, ~6 ft - ~ 50 ft, ~8 ft - ~ 50 ft, ~10 ft - ~ 50 ft, ~12 ft - ~ 50 ft, ~14 ft - ~ 50 ft, ~16 ft - ~ 50 ft, or every ~18 ft - ~ 50 ft of well depth, as in, for example, every ~2 ft - ~ 45 ft, ~4 ft - ~40 ft, ~6 ft - ~35 ft, ~8 ft - ~30 ft, ~10 ft - ~25 ft, ~12 ft - ~20 ft, ~14 ft - ~18 ft, or, e.g., every ~15 feet.

[0256] In aspects, between about 10 and about 3000 samples can be analyzed per day by analyzers herein, such as, e.g., ~10 samples / day - ~2800 samples / day, ~10 samples / day - ~2800 samples / day, ~10 samples / day - ~2600 samples / day, ~10 samples / day - ~2400 samples / day, ~10 samples / day - ~2200 samples / day, ~10 samples / day - ~2000 samples / day, ~10 samples / day - ~1800 samples / day, ~10 samples / day - ~1600 samples / day, or ~10 samples / day - ~1500 samples / day, as in, e.g., ~100 samples / day - ~3000 samples / day, ~200 samples / day - ~3000 samples / day, ~400 samples / day - ~3000 samples / day, ~600 samples / day - ~3000 samples / day, ~800 samples / day - ~3000 samples / day, ~1000 samples / day - ~3000 samples / day, ~1200 samples / day - ~3000 samples / day, or ~1400 samples / day - ~3000 samples / day, as in, e.g., ~100 samples / day - ~2800 samples / day, ~200 samples / day - ~2600 samples / day, ~400 samples / day - ~2400 samples / day, ~600 samples / day - ~2200 samples / day, ~800 samples / day - ~2000 samples / day, ~1000 samples / day - ~1800 samples / day, ~1200 samples / day - ~1600 samples / day, or, e.g., ~1400 samples / day - ~1500 samples / day, as in, e.g., about 1440 samples / day can be analyzed by analyzer(s) / device(s) herein.

[0257] In certain specific aspects, well site analyzer(s) herein operate at a speed of about one foot per sample which drilling at 900 feet / hour. In aspects, well site analyzer(s) herein operate at a speed allowing for drill cutting(s) samples to be analyzed at about every 15 feet of depth. In aspects, about 1440 samples per day can be tested.

[0258] Device(s) herein are suitable for use with one, some, most, generally all, substantially all, essentially all, or all rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) described herein,described some, most, generally all, all, essentially, all, or all Prior Smith Patents, or combinations thereof. In certain aspects, one or more steps of rock volatile stratigraphy method(s), or, e.g., the time allocated for the completion of one or more steps of the rock volatile stratigraphy method, can be varied to accommodate for the amount of time required to collect and seal one or more material samples by device(s) herein. In aspects, a variation in the time allocated to one or more steps of rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) is established in coordination with the frequency of collection of multiple material samples such that the analysis of each of material sample is completed in coordination with when the next material sample becomes available for analysis. In some respects, one or more steps of rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) herein or the time allocated for the completion of one or more steps of the rock volatile stratigraphy method can vary between the rock volatile stratigraphy method applied to one material sample and that applied to another material sample. Samples

[0259] According to aspects, device(s) herein are suitable for analyzing solid or semi- solid material samples, e.g., geological samples, e.g., rock material samples, e.g., drill cutting(s) samples, core sample(s), drilling muds, etc. In aspects, rock material samples are solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material(s). In aspects, sample(s) are any type of rock material sample(s).

[0260] In aspects, samples are suitable for the use in the analysis of hydrogen, helium, and, e.g., other non-condensable gases, which can be, for example, applied at or near a well site and applied to geologic materials including, materials which are mostly, materials which consist substantially of, or materials consisting of, drill cuttings samples, core samples, or drilling muds.

[0261] According to aspects samples comprise a known amount, e.g., a known volume, a known weight of material (e.g., cuttings and herein simply referred to as cuttings or simply “sample” for sake of illustration, as is the case with all the examples herein), or both a known volume and known weight of sample.

[0262] In aspects, sample(s) are delivered to the analyzer(s) herein, e.g., more specifically, to a movable container component, also referred to herein as the collection and transfer component (CTC) either, for example, automatically or, e.g., by person. In aspects, sample(s) are delivered as a stream of material and, e.g., the stream of material is sampled at set interval(s), e.g., analyzer(s) are adapted to capture sample(s) from the stream of material at defined interval(s). In aspects, such intervals are, e.g., between about every 0.25 min and about every 3 min, such as, e.g., ~0.25 min - ~2.75 min, ~0.25 min - ~2.5 min, ~0.25 min - ~2.25 min,~0.25 min - ~2 min, ~0.25 min - ~1.75 min, min - ~1.5 min, ~0.25 min - ~1.25 min, or ~0.25 min - ~1 min, as in, e.g., ~0.5 min - ~3 min, ~0.75 min - ~3 min, or ~1 min - ~3 min, as in, e.g., ~0.35 min - ~2 min, ~0.45 min - ~1.5 min, or, e.g., about every 0.5 min - ~every 1 min.

[0263] In aspects, the amount of sample that is captured in the location can vary in volume such as to ensure there is little to no open headspace or a lot of headspace in the compartment of a movable container component into which sample is collected.

[0264] According to aspects, sample(s) can be collected from a stream of material delivered to the analyzer. Whereby a known volume, weight, or both known volume and weight, of sample is collected. Here, a “known” volume, weight, or both, of material can be, e.g., an at least relatively uniform and consistent or approximated volume, weight, or both, which is established by the timing of the rotation of the movable container component / CTC, whereby the sample entry point of the device is alternatingly exposed and not exposed to the stream of material for consistent periods of time and wherein the stream of material is provided at a relatively consistent volume and rate. In aspects, a “known” volume, weight, or both, is a volume, weight, or both which varies from a target or expected volume, weight, or each of an expected volume and weight by no more than about 50%, such as, e.g., ≤~45%, ≤~40%, ≤~35%, ≤~30%, ≤~25%, ≤~20%, ≤~15%, ≤~10%, ≤~5%, ≤~4%, ≤~3%, ≤~2%, or ≤~1%. Extraction

[0265] In certain aspects, samples are not crushed prior to the extraction of volatile substance(s) therefrom. In aspects, device(s) herein extract one or more volatile substance(s), e.g., rock volatile substances, extracted therefrom. In aspects, sample(s) captured and analyzed by device(s) herein comprise an amount of volatile(s) extracted, wherein the volatile(s) extracted comprise a condensable portion and a non-condensable portion. In aspects, the non-condensable portion is larger than the condensable portion. In aspects, condensable volatile(s) extracted are removed prior to the analysis of the non-condensable portion by, e.g., one or more component(s) of device(s), e.g., a trap component, such as, e.g., a cryotrap.

[0266] According to aspects, volatile(s) trapped by a trap component are not analyzed. According to certain aspects, volatile(s) trapped by a trap component are discarded. In certain other aspects, trapped volatile(s) can be analyzed. Purging

[0267] According to aspects, sample(s) are collected in chamber(s), e.g., compartment(s), of a movable container component of device(s) herein. In aspects, such compartment(s) are at least at certain points of operation of the device exposed to the environment, e.g., to the open air.In aspects, device(s) herein comprise a compartment(s), to capture sample(s) that is / are open to the external environment whereby upon capture of sample(s), the compartment(s) comprise a headspace; e.g., sample(s) do not completely fill the compartment(s) such that an amount of ambient air exists in the compartment. The amount of sample that is captured in the location can vary in volume such as to ensure there is little to no open headspace or a lot of headspace.

[0268] According to certain aspects, such headspace can be purged. In aspects, the location of device(s) herein where sample(s) are captured can be overlaid with a heavier gas than air. In aspects, a purging gas can be supplied through the same device opening through which sample(s) is / are collected. In aspects, a purging gas can be supplied through one or more other opening(s) of the device, such as, e.g., from a position opposite to, adjacent to, lateral to, etc. the location where sample(s) enter the device.

[0269] According to aspects, suitable purging gases can be any inert gas heavier than air, such as, e.g., xenon, krypton, or argon. In aspects, argon is used as a purging gas. In aspects, the purging gas is DOS recoverable. In aspects, some, most, generally all, substantially all, essentially all, or all gas overlaying the sample can be extracted at one or more pressures, e.g., one or more vacuum pressures. In certain aspects, a purging gas overlaying sample(s) can be passed over a cryogenic chamber. Exemplary Device Components

[0270] According to aspects, device(s) (well site analyzer(s) / analyzer(s)) provided herein comprise a number of components, the components being suitable for rendering the device capable of performing the function(s) / activity(ies) described herein. Exemplary device component(s) are described here. Such device component(s) can be arranged in any suitable configuration which render(s) the device(s) operable and capable of performing their designed function, e.g., rapidly collecting sample(s), extracting volatile(s) therefrom, analyzing extracted volatile(s), and discarding sample(s), at such a speed so as to provide content analysis of material samples collected at very fine intervals, e.g., very fine depth intervals, such as intervals of less than about 50 ft, e.g., ≤~45 ft, ≤~40 ft, ≤~35 ft, ≤~30 ft, ≤~25 ft, ≤~20 ft, or, e.g., ≤~15 ft. Movable Container Component

[0271] In aspects, device(s) comprise a movable container component which may be referred to as a collection and transfer component (CTC). Herein, movable container component and collection and transfer component or CTC can be used interchangeably. In aspects, a movable container component is a relatively rapid moving component, e.g., capable of rapidlycollecting sample(s) from a first device transferring the sample(s) to a second device location at intervals of no more than, e.g., about 2 min, e.g., no more than about 1.5 min or, e.g., in less than or equal to about 1 min, 50 seconds (50 sec), 40 sec, or, e.g., in less than or equal to about 30 sec. In aspects, a movable container component can be any component, in any shape, size, or orientation, capable of collecting, e.g., receiving, sample(s) and moving the sample(s) from the point of their receipt by the device to one or more other position(s) within the device.

[0272] In aspects, a movable container component comprises a plurality of compartments.

[0273] According to embodiments, the moveable container component is a rotational container. In aspects, the rotational container is configured to gravitationally receive a second sample when delivered to the device while depositing a first, prior-collected sample to a location where the such sample can be subjected to an extraction component present in the device. Further, the movable container component is, in aspects, capable of moving collected sample(s) to a position for discarding the sample(s) in order of their collection. In aspects, a movable container component (or CTC) is capable of sequentially moving one or more compartments thereof from a first location for sample collection, to a second location for sample extraction, to a third location for sample discard, and, e.g., returning the compartment to the first location of collection of another sample. As depicted in exemplary figures of such device component(s) in figures provided herewith, the presence of a plurality of compartments of movable container components (aka CTCs) allows for ongoing and cyclical sample collection, analysis, and discard.

[0274] In aspects, a device location containing a sample can be moved, e.g., rotated, to move the samples through the device.

[0275] In certain aspects, a movable container component / CTC operates to (a) collect material sample(s) and (b) transfer collected sample(s) to one or more different positions. In aspects, a CTC serves to collect geologic material or drilling mud samples from a larger source of material, such as, e.g., a stream of geologic material or, e.g., drilling mud, provided to the analyzer. In aspects, a CTC can be characterized as a rock volatiles sampling device.

[0276] According to aspects, device(s) can comprise one or more vacuum seal(s). In aspects, vacuum seal(s) can serve to participate in the sealing of each of the compartment of a movable container component when such compartments are in one or more positions.

[0277] According to aspects, movable container components (CTCs) comprise an entry point at which a sample is dropped, conveyed, or collected. A movable container component can move such that, e.g., after collection, the CTC is moved, e.g., rotated 90 degrees, such thatcollected samples are in position for volatile In aspects, after extraction, a movable container component can move such that extracted samples are positioned at or near a device sample exit whereby extracted samples (samples having had some, most, generally all, substantially all, essentially all, or all, volatile(s) extracted), exit the analyzer.

[0278] Discarded samples can be collected upon discard as collected discarded samples in, e.g., one or more collection unit(s) or, e.g., a system of collection unit(s) can be present for collecting discarded sample(s) for further use (e.g., testing, storage, etc.) Compartments

[0279] A movable container component / CTC can in aspects comprise a plurality of partitioned sections, e.g., any suitable and practical number of partitioned sections, e.g., between about 1 and about 10 partitioned sections, e.g., ~1 - ~9, ~1 - ~8, ~1 - ~7, ~1 - ~6, ~1 - ~5, ~1 - ~4, ~1 - ~3, or, e.g., ~2 - ~10, ~3 - ~10, ~4 - ~10, ~5 - ~10, ~6 - ~10, or ~7 - ~10, as in, e.g., ~2 - ~9, ~2 - ~7, or ~2 - ~5, e.g., ~3 or ~4 partitioned sections or compartments. In aspects, CTCs comprise at least 3 partitioned compartments. In aspects, CTCs comprise about 3 or about 4 partitioned compartments. As the movable container component can be moved, e.g., rotated, the position of each of each of any present compartment is modifiable. Each of compartments (also referred to herein as “chambers”) can be positioned in each of any number of positions, wherein, in aspects, the present number of positions is the same as the number of present compartments.

[0280] In certain aspects, each compartment of a movable container component can occupy each position among a plurality of positions, each compartment (a) comprising a separate inlet, a separate outlet, or both. In aspects, each compartment is capable of both receiving and discarding sample(s). In aspects, each compartment is configured to receive an analyzable sample of a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material at a first position among the plurality of positions and to deliver the sample to one or more other positions of the plurality of positions of a movable container component.

[0281] In aspects, compartments of a CTC / movable container component can comprise one or more vacuum seal(s). In aspects, vacuum seal(s) operate to, at least for period of time during device operation and at least in part, seal compartments from the external environment. Extraction Component

[0282] According to aspects, device(s) herein comprise an extraction component. In aspects, an extraction component can be any component, feature, or, e.g., system, capable of extracting one or more volatile substance(s) from sample(s) collected by the device, e.g., by application of one or more force(s).

[0283] In aspects, an extraction is positioned in effective proximity to at least one of the plurality of positions of a movable container component such that samples present in a compartment located at such position can be at least selectively exposed to the extraction component.

[0284] In aspects, an extraction component is configured to selectively apply one or more gentle vacuum equivalent extraction forces to extract one or more aliquots of easily extractable volatile substances from sample(s) of material received by the movable container. In aspects, an extraction component is associated with, directly or indirectly, e.g., is operationally associated with (e.g., depends upon the presence of) one or more other device component(s) to aid in its operation, such as, e.g., one or more vacuum pump(s). Vacuum System

[0285] In aspects, device(s) herein can comprise a vacuum system. In aspects, such a vacuum system can be any vacuum system suitable for the application of a vacuum, e.g., a vacuum extraction force. In aspects, a vacuum system is a selectively operable, conditionally automatically operable, or selectively and conditionally automatically operable vacuum system.

[0286] In aspects, a vacuum system of device(s) herein is positioned downstream of an extraction component, analytical component, or both. In aspects, a vacuum system applies a vacuum force that draws an aliquot or portion of the aliquot of extracted volatile(s) through a flow path from the material sample located in a compartment of a movable container component, to an extraction component, and to the analytical component.

[0287] In aspects, a vacuum system is operationally associated with an extraction component, such that, e.g., the vacuum system applies the vacuum to an extraction component which extracts volatiles by way of the application of vacuum pressure. In aspects, pressure(s) applied to samples as extraction force(s) to release volatile substances for analysis can be some level of vacuum pressure, such as two or more different pressures that result in measurably different, substantially different, or significantly different aliquots with respect to one or more substances. In aspects, vacuum pressures are gentle vacuum pressures, e.g., pressures no stronger than about 2 mbar, e.g., ≤~4 mbar, ≤~6 mbar, ≤~8 mbar, ≤~10 mbar, ≤~12 mbar, ≤~14 mbar, ≤~16 mbar, ≤~18 mbar, or ≤~20 mbar in strength (wherein the lower the mbar value, the stronger the vacuum strength).

[0288] According to particular aspects, vacuum pressures are programmed or are present as part of default setting(s) of a device.

[0289] Analyzer(s) can comprise vacuum valves. In aspects ,vacuum valve(s) can be present in any suitable location within the device(s) to participate in the control of vacuum forces and where and to what such vacuum force(s) are applied. In aspects, vacuum valves can operate to control the flow of fluid through portion(s) of the analyzer wherein such portion(s) of the analyzer may be subject to a vacuum pressure.

[0290] In certain respects, an inlet chamber is positioned between 2 vacuum valves. In operation, an inlet chamber can be brought to detectable or significant vacuum using one or more vacuum pumps e.g., more specifically a high vacuum pump and a roughing pump which can be present as element(s) of a vacuum system. In aspects, a vacuum system can be sealed off to an inlet chamber by vacuum valve(s).

[0291] In certain aspects, pressure in a cuttings volatiles extraction chamber associated with the extraction component is controlled the vacuum system. In aspects, the vacuum system can establish the vacuum of an inlet chamber at any suitable value, such as, e.g., a value between about 40 millibars and about 1 mbar, e.g., ~30 mbar – about 1.5 mbar, or, e.g., ~20 mbar - ~2 mbar.

[0292] In aspects, analyzing cuttings volatiles extracted from samples at 2 or more different pressures has been demonstrated herein to reveal zones from which high purity hydrogen may be extracted, and as such multiple pressure analyses by analyzer(s) described herein can be desirable or otherwise advantageous and can be provided by device(s) herein.

[0293] In certain aspects, analyzers provided herein can comprise an exhaust associated with vacuum pump(s) of a vacuum system. Container Movement Component

[0294] In aspects, device(s) herein comprise a container movement component. In aspects, a container movement component is any component capable of causing the movement of a movable container component, such as, e.g., a motor and the like. In aspects a container movement component at least in part relies upon gravity. In aspects, a container movement component causes the movable container to move and thereby causes the different compartments of the plurality of the compartments of a movable container component to be located at a / the plurality of positions at different times during operation of the device.

[0295] According to aspects, device(s) are configured to cause the container movement component to move the movable container in such a manner facilitating a first compartment of a CTC to be in a first position (for sample collection) and a second compartment to be in a second position (for sample extraction) and to, thereafter move each of the first compartment and secondcompartment to different positions, such as, the first compartment to the second position whereby the sample therein is in position for sample extraction and the second compartment to a third position whereby the sample therein is in position for discard. Trap Component

[0296] In certain respects, device(s) herein comprise the ability to remove one or more volatiles(s) extracted by material samples. In aspects, such removal facilitates a DOS improvement in the ability of the device(s) to accurately measure the amount of one or more other volatile compound(s) / substance(s). In aspects, such a trap component can be any component or comprise any technology suitable for selectively removing one or more target volatile substance(s). Herein, a trap component may also or alternatively be referred to as a volatile compound capture component (“VCCC”).

[0297] In aspects, a trap component is a component adapted to selectively remove condensable volatiles. In aspects, a VCCC is a component which selectively captures certain volatile compound(s) by way of condensation. In aspects, device(s) can comprise trap component(s) for capturing released volatile substances (released by application of force(s), e.g., pressure(s)), such as, e.g., cryogenic trap(s), such as a material cooled with liquid nitrogen applied to a suitable surface, wherein such a cryochamber / cryogenic trap can remove a measurable or significant amount, concentration, or number of condensable gases, such as, e.g., water and, e.g., hydrocarbons other than ethane and methane.

[0298] In aspects, a VCCC (trap component), e.g., a cryogenic trap, can be held at, e.g., a temperature of minus 100 degrees C (-100 degrees C) or colder.

[0299] Device(s) herein are capable of extracting one or more aliquots of volatile(s) from samples. In aspects, a collection component, e.g., a trap component, e.g., a cryogenic trap of device(s) selectively collects a portion of each of the one or more aliquots. In certain respects, a trap component is not associated with any heating element. In aspects, device(s) comprise a trapped gas disposal component. In aspects, volatile(s) captured by a trap component are not released from the trap component and, e.g., are not measured by device(s). In alternative aspects, trapped volatiles can be released from the trap, e.g., by the presence and application of a heating element, and some, most, generally all, substantially all, essentially all, or all released volatile(s) are measured by the device.

[0300] As provided elsewhere herein, an analyzer can comprise vacuum valve(s) positioned between a trap component / VCCC (e.g., cryotrap) and an inlet chamber, whereby, in operation, a vacuum valve positioned between the VCCC and the inlet chamber can be opened,allowing volatile(s), e.g., volatile(s) material sample(s) to enter a trap component / VCCC, e.g., a cryotrap, through a trap component / VCCC inlet, when such a trap component / VCCC component is present. Collection Component

[0301] According to aspects, device(s) can comprise a collection component. In aspects, a collection component is any component capable of collecting volatile(s) which, having passed through a trap component if present, collect non-trapped volatile(s). In aspects, a collection component collects volatile(s) extracted from material samples prior to their analysis by an analytical component, wherein the collection component collects at least a portion of any aliquot of volatile(s) extracted from sample(s), wherein the at least portion of aliquots collected comprise volatile(s) not trapped by any present trapping component.

[0302] In certain respects, a collection component is adapted such that volatile(s) collected thereby comprise at least one hydrogen proxy if present in the sample. Analytical Component

[0303] According to aspects, device(s) herein comprise an analytical component. In aspects, an analytical component is any component suitable for and capable of analyzing volatile substances, e.g., easily extracted volatile substance(s) of each collected aliquot collected by a collection component. In aspects, analytical component(s) can be any suitable analytical component described herein, such as, e.g., any analytical component associated with rock volatile stratigraphy method(s) described herein or in Prior Smith Patents. In certain common aspects, an analytical component is a mass spectrometer.

[0304] In aspects, analyzers herein comprise an analytical device wherein, after a sufficient period of time, vacuum valve(s) located between a VCCC, e.g., cryogenic trap, and an inlet chamber are closed, and vacuum valve(s) positioned at a VCCC exit the entry of the analytical device (e.g., mass spectrometer) are opened, either simultaneously or one at a time, to facilitate to delivery of volatile substances to the analytical component within the device. According to aspects, hydrogen, helium, and, e.g., other non-condensable volatiles are allowed to enter the analytical device via an analytical device inlet and are subsequently analyzed by the analytical device. Analyzed gases can, in aspects, be pumped out of the analytical device and exit the vacuum system. Output Component

[0305] In aspects, device(s) herein can comprise an output component, also referred to herein as a control system, for relaying the analysis of the analytical component to a user, adifferent system, or both, wherein the can comprise one or more computer- controlled feature(s) and function(s), such as, e.g., the ability to control the device(s), to collect, analyze, and transmit data, receive device control input(s), and the like.

[0306] In aspects, a control system can comprise one or more computer-related or data- related components, such as, e.g., data interface and control component(s), computer component(s), or both. Disposal Component

[0307] According to aspects, device(s) herein comprise a device disposal component. In aspect, a disposal component can be any component suitable for the removal of analyzed samples. In aspects a disposal component is configured to remove a sample from the device and dispose of such sample after the sample has been exposed to the extraction component. In aspects, a disposal component is configured to automatically discard the sample after the extraction component ceases operating on the sample.

[0308] In aspects, a disposal component is adapted to dispose of a sample within about 0- 60 seconds, e.g., ~15-60 seconds, ~30-60 seconds, ~45-60 seconds, ~0-45 seconds, ~0-30 or, e.g., ~0-15 seconds from the time that a first other sample is collected, a second other sample is delivered for extraction, or both. Use

[0309] According to particular aspects, in use, device(s) disclosed herein (1) acquire sample(s) such as, e.g., solid or semi-solid samples such as, e.g., drill cuttings, or fluid(s); (2) establish such sample(s) in a selectively sealable container or compartment; (3) optionally replace any headspace comprising ambient air in the container or compartment with a purging gas such as argon; (4) seal the sample from exposure to the outside environment (such as, e.g., by way of repositioning the container or compartment; (5) extract gas(es), e.g., volatile(s), from the headspace of sealed container(s) compartments under one or more extraction conditions, such as, e.g., under one or more vacuum pressures; (6) optionally pass extracted gas(es) over an optionally present trap component such as, e.g., a cryotrap to, e.g., selectively remove volatile(s), such as, e.g., condensable gas(es); (7) analyze at least a portion of extracted volatile(s), e.g., non- condensable gases, in acquired samples; (8) optionally estimate hydrogen content (e.g., by way of participating in, guiding, performing, or controlling hydrogen quantitation method(s) described herein) of material sample(s) provided to the device; (9) optionally collecting purge gas, if utilized, (10) dispose of analyzed samples, wherein disposition can comprise, e.g., collecting analyzed samples for future use, or, e.g., any combination(s) of any or all thereof. Inaspects, all such function(s) are performed of, e.g., about no less than about 1 sample per every 5 minutes, e.g., at a rate of no less than ~1 sample / 4.75 min, ~1 sample / 4.5 min, ~1 sample / 4.25 min, ~1 sample / 4 min, ~1 sample / 3.75 min, ~1 sample / 3.5 min, ~1 sample / 3.25 min, ~1 sample / 3 min, ~1 sample / 2.75 min, ~1 sample / 2.5 min, ~1 sample / 2.25 min, ~1 sample / 2 min, ~1 sample / 1.75 min, ~1 sample / 1.5 min, ~1 sample / 1.25 min, or, e.g., at a rate of no less than about ~1 sample / 1 min.

[0310] Aspects related to analytical devices are further described by the Examples and associated figures provided herewith. Hydrogen Blocking Applications

[0311] Another aspect of the technology is to provide methods for protecting materials from hydrogen and for providing materials that have been protected from hydrogen.

[0312] Hydrogen is known to be a corrosive substance that can detectably or significantly reduce the performance of materials that have been exposed to hydrogen.

[0313] Materials may be naturally exposed to hydrogen or, e.g., may be exposed to hydrogen during one or more processes.

[0314] In certain aspects, provided herein are methods of utilizing an inert gas, e.g., helium, for example, to block hydrogen from harming materials. The application of helium to materials may be done on an industrial scale. Examples of materials that may be treated with helium to detectable or significantly reduce the corrosive effects of hydrogen include, for example, any hydrogen-sensitive material, e.g., any material which, either immediately or over time, can be detrimentally affected (in terms of appearance, strength, flexibility, longevity, and the like) by exposure to hydrogen, such as, e.g., steel, and the many forms in may take, e.g., pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, and building materials.

[0315] In certain aspects, hydrogen-sensitive materials are treated with helium in, for example, a chamber that contains helium. In aspects, the chamber air tight. In aspects, materials in the chamber are exposed to a one or more vacuums, e.g., about 100 mbar, about 10 mbar, or less for one or more periods of time, e.g., about 1 minute, about 10 minutes, or longer to remove loosely associated volatile substances from the material, for example, water vapor.

[0316] According to aspects, hydrogen-sensitive materials are bathed in helium at less than, equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure inside the container for one or more periods of time, e.g., about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, or longer at one or more other conditions, e.g., less than or greater than room temperature, e.g., about 22 degrees Celsius.

[0317] The helium, thus applied, in coats or penetrates the materials to prevent any exposure of the material to hydrogen thereafter from detectably or significantly reducing the performance of the materials.

[0318] The helium may, in aspects, occupy voids within in the materials thereby preventing any hydrogen from occupying such voids wherein the hydrogen would otherwise be able to react with the material and detectably or significantly reduce the performance of the material, for example, reduce the material’s strength or make the material more brittle.

[0319] In certain respects, helium-protected materials may be used for example in the exploration, production and analysis of hydrogen and helium.

[0320] In aspects the technology provides method(s) of reducing hydrogen-material interactions comprising (1) contacting a hydrogen-reactive material with an effective amount of helium, (2) allowing the helium to develop a protective association with the hydrogen-reactive material, and (3) removing excess helium from the material. In aspects, method(s) provide a protective association between the helium and the hydrogen-reactive material comprising placing the material in a pressure chamber and exposing the material to a pressure that significantly increases the efficacy of the association, speed of the association, or efficacy and speed of the association of the helium and the hydrogen-reactive material, e.g., iron, steel or both.

[0321] Aspects related to hydrogen blocking and hydrogen blocking applications may be further described by the Examples and associated figures provided herewith. Computer-Implemented Applications and AI Applications

[0322] The technology includes / provides new computer devices / systems (e.g., comprising (1) a computer processor, (2) memory, (3) an input component, and (4) an output component), wherein the computer processor comprises a computer program / engine that is programmed to analyze data regarding materials relating to any one or more above-described aspects of the invention (comprises engine(s) that perform functions related to such aspects). As such aspects of computer technology are well known, they are only briefly discussed here.

[0323] In general, methods or steps of methods, described herein, can be performed by one or more devices that are computerized or comprise a computer. Uncontradicted, any “method” (uncontradicted, meaning a “method of the technology”) described here or any step(s) of any method(s) can be adapted to provide a corresponding device / system and vice versa. Thus, disclosure of any method including steps simultaneously implicitly discloses a corresponding device / system comprising components (e.g., programs ARTA engines) that can perform functions corresponding to the steps of the described method (and vice versa).

[0324] Terms such as “computing component,” “computer,” and the like, typically mean a device or device component or system component comprising physical / persistent computer-readable media or other suitable memory media (e.g., PTRCRM as described below) and a processor that processes (“reads”) information in such media. Computer readable media (CRM) can comprise informative data and also functional information (modifiable / programmable computer executable instructions (CEI)). Memory can comprise, mostly comprise, physical, transferrable, and reproducible computer-readable media (PTRCRM) containing stored instructions (engine(s)) and non-functional data (input, analytical data, in- process data, stored record data, output, etc.). Given the nature of the technology, and the specialized functions such devices are programmed / configured to carry out, the computerized devices or systems described herein can be considered special purpose computing devices or systems as such devices or systems typically require specialized engine(s) as exemplified below.

[0325] A computer will comprise a memory component or memory system (uncontradicted, such terms being substitutable for one another here) for storing data and for storing instructions (code, engines, an operating system, aspects of user interfaces, and the like). The memory component will typically store computer executable instructions (CEI) (code) (e.g., engines). Memory may also store data used by these and other programs and applications. Data storage / memory unit(s) of a system or other network device can comprise / be in data storage arrays that can include drive array controllers configured to manage read and write access to groups of hard disk drives, solid state drives, etc. Drive array controllers, alone or in conjunction with system component(s) (server device(s)), also can be configured to manage backup or redundant copies of data stored in data repository(ies) (DR(s)) of a system (also sometimes called memory unit(s)) to protect against data failures, etc., e.g., failures that prevent system component(s) from accessing parts / units of memory / data storage. DR(s) can include any suitable form of data repository(ies), including any suitable database(s), such as a structured query language (SQL) database, no-SQL databases, data lakes, and the like. Various types of data structures can store information (e.g., analytical data) in such a database, including but not limited to tables, arrays, lists, trees, and tuples. Furthermore, databases or other DR(s) in data storage can be monolithic or distributed across multiple physical devices. In specific facets, DR(s) are stored in whole or in part and processor function(s) are employed via a cloud platform such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, or other cloud platforms exhibiting some, most, or generally all of the capabilities of one or of such systems / networks. Distributed system(s) / component(s) that can make up some, most, generally all, or all parts of a systemprocessor can use distributed memory, processors can be endowed with “chunks” of the memory space and communicate via message-passing or similar methods. Each processor can in such aspects have direct access to its local memory and indirect access to nonlocal or remote chunks of memory. In aspects, some, most, generally all or all of system memory is based on a cloud computing platform / paradigm (e.g., DR / data store as a Service / Storage (DaaS) Platform or an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) or Platform as a Service (PaaS) Platform, comprising processing and possibly other functions in addition to memory and memory- supportive functions only). In aspects, cloud-based system memory element(s) of a system is or are based on a distributed system, scalable on demand (or automatically) system, or both. In aspects, distributed file systems that form some, most, generally all, or all of the system memory store data across many separate servers. In some facets, most, generally all, or substantially all the system memory is not distributed. Examples of cloud-based storage systems having these, and other features discussed here include Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) and Windows Azure Binary Large Object (Blob) storage.

[0326] The memory component will store data – e.g., data regarding the analysis of material(s) or sample(s), data regarding the generation of hydrogen, data regarding the presence of other volatiles, etc. Terms such as “data” and “information” are used interchangeably here and are only limited to a specific form when so indicated by explicit definition / statement or clear context. Interrelated data, as recognized by the system or a system-component (through programming or otherwise), can be described as a “Record” or “record.” Records can include, e.g., attributes (characteristics) and values (measurements / attributes). In connection with this technology, relevant records comprise, mostly comprise, or at least generally consist of (directly or when translated) natural language messages. E.g., a record can include the body of some, most, or all of an email or other message that is suitable for use with the systems / methods provided here. Records and other data can be stored in memory of the system or a device, etc. In cases, components / systems for collection of large amounts of data may be referred to as a “data repository” (examples of which include data lakes, data warehouses, databases, and the like). Systems of the technology can include such memory storage devices / systems and methods can include storing data generated by the systems / methods, e.g., method outcome data (described elsewhere) in such storage systems for later application. A record can include, e.g., data concerning a particular sample (e.g., including the volatiles extracted from such sample and analyzed by method(s)).

[0327] The memory component will comprise instructions (code, engines, programs) for carrying out function(s), which typically correspond to steps of the above-described methods or for controlling a device of the technology. E.g., the analysis of volatiles in an extracted volatile aliquot can be performed according to a computer program / engine that controls the analysis of analytical data (e.g., peaks in a mass spectrophotometry spectrogram) to provide a quantification of other evaluation of measured volatiles. Thus, the computer / software units / components of devices / systems can be characterized on the basis of “function(s)” that it / they perform. In aspects, a “function” is a computer-implemented action performed by a system component based on both preprogrammed computer readable and executed instruction(s), e.g., in response to input(s). A function also can describe the result of step(s) of a method. The step(s) of such methods / elements of such function(s) can comprise algorithms, methods, and the like described below. In aspects, an “engine” (sometimes also referred to as an “Engine” or “data engine”) refers to computer / processor-executable software program / application (code, algorithm, etc.) or other components of or executed by a computer system which is configured to perform specified function(s), based on computer-executable / readable instructions (“CEI”) contained in a memory (such CEI typically make up much, most, generally all, or all of the engine), or an engine can refer to any other component(s) / system(s) that perform similar functions on a recurring basis (either automatically, conditionally / situationally, on command / selectably, or a combination thereof). Typically, an engine processes input(s) and generates output(s). An engine typically can be implemented on computer(s) located in one or more locations. In aspects, multiple components of an engine are installed and running on one or more computer(s); multiple instances of an engine are installed and running one or more computers; or both. The operation of an engine typically performs function(s), which can represent step(s) in method(s). Such corresponding aspects are implicitly described by any explicit description of an engine or a function (e.g., description of a system / component comprising an engine for performing function(s) implicitly discloses a method including performance of the function as step(s)). An engine that receives user input and provides output, i.a., to an end user can be characterized as an “application.” Engines can make up part of, or also be described as, or can comprise “programs,” code,” “algorithms,” or similar elements known in the art for the control of electronic computer systems.

[0328] Engines / programs typically can encoded / written in any form of programming language (code), including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages; and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as amodule, component, subroutine, or other for use in a computing environment (e.g., Python, Java, C++, Ruby, C#, Go, JavaScript, R, Swift, and the like, which are known in the art). A program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program / Engine can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files, e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code. A computer program / Engine can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a data communication network. Programs / engines also can be described as “instructions” or “computer-implemented instructions,” “processor-implemented instructions,” “computer- readable instructions,” “computer implemented data engines,” etc. Features / characteristics of engines are further described below. Functions can also be performed by more advanced systems / components in the context of methods / systems, such as neural network(s).

[0329] Examples of functions carried out by engines (AKA, operations, processes, or protocols) that can be employed as S(s) / FM(s) include data / data set analysis, search, and modification functions, such as art-recognized regular expression (“Regex”) function(s) (e.g., Count, Extract, or Replace function); data cleaning functions (such as Clean, Count, Remove, TRIM, and Extract, and functions for finding / fixing double encodings, encoding error identification / fixing functions, etc.); data / data set field (DSF) comparison functions (e.g., string comparison functions, e.g., string functions focused on comparison of longest common subsequence, Levenshtein distance, and other comparison functions such as optimal string alignment functions, etc. “Engines” are components of computerized devices / systems, having a structure that comprises computer readable / executable media (CRM) (e.g., encoded in PTRCRM covered elsewhere) that carry out function(s) when acted on by associated processor(s). The structure of an engine is usually provided primarily through computer-readable instructions (code). As such, uncontradicted terms such as “program,” “code,” “module,” etc. can be used in place of “engine” and vice versa. The term “module” is often used here to refer to one or more engines that perform a function. The structure / encoding of an engine will vary depending on the features of the computer / system that executes an engine, as can human readable instructions that are provided to the system / computer. Typically, an engine processes input(s) and generates output(s). In aspects, multiple components of an engine are installed and running on one or more computer(s) in a system; multiple instances of an engine are installed and running one or more computers of a system; or both. A program / engine can be stored in a portion of a file that holdsother programs or data, e.g., one or more in a markup language document, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files, e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code. An engine can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a data communication network. Uncontradicted, any description of an engine can be performed by a neural network, other artificial intelligence (AI) component / model (e.g., a Random Forest machine learning element, an SVM, etc.), or a non- AI / non-neural network engine (e.g., a typical program that carries out algorithm(s)). Typically, an “engine” also is recognized as a type of electronic / computerized component / device comprising physical media comprising instructions in computer readable media (CRM) executed (read and carried out) by processor component(s) to perform function(s).

[0330] Functions can comprise other smaller units such as routines, analyses, and the like. Readers will understand that there can be considerable overlap between such terms based on context and, accordingly, at least in aspects, such overlaps are acceptable, and each term provides support for the other in terms of what the explicit content of this document implicitly discloses. Such small units of a function (e.g., commands, statements, function calls, etc.) can comprise any suitable type and number of algorithmic statements for performing the function, e.g., INITIATLIZATION statements for variable generation, IF / THEN or IF / THEN / ELSE statements and the like (e.g., ISEMPTY / ISNULL), FOR / WHILE statements and other looping statements / conditional statements (e.g., SEQUENCE statements, REPEAT-UNTIL statements, e.g., comprising CASE statements, etc.), INCREMENT statements, e.g., related to looping, GET / READ or CALL statements, etc. (for data retrieval), DISPLAY / SAVE / PRINT commands, DO statements, mathematical functions (e.g., SUM, DIFFERENCE, etc.), statistical, and other quantitative comparisons or other computational analysis statements (“COMPUTE”), LIKE statements for comparing similar data elements, which can be, e.g., contained in part in nested constructs, sub-procedures, etc. (see, e.g., users.csc.calpoly.edu / ~jdalbey / SWE / pdl_std.html and geeksforgeeks.org / what-is-pseudocode-a-complete-tutorial / , geeksforgeeks.org / functions- programming / and other suitable guides to pseudocode and coding elements).

[0331] Computerized devices in communication with each other over distance, and the data connections between such devices, can be said to form a “network” or a “system.” In aspects, some, most, or all of a system can also be considered a network. System / network components typically interact / communicate on a recurring basis (typically a regular or continuous basis), usually using common communication protocols over digital interconnectionsfor the purpose of sharing data, functions, resources. Networks can comprise other physical components, e.g., routers, switches, and the like, described elsewhere or known in the art, or suitable virtual counterparts thereof. Some computer device components of networks are sometimes described as “clients” and “servers.” E.g., in embodiments, a server transmits data, e.g., an HTML page, to a user device, e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receiving user input from a user interacting with the device, which acts as a client. Data generated in a user device, e.g., a result of user interaction, can likewise be relayed to a server. Elements of network systems provided herein that can be alternatively described as clients and servers will be clear to readers. The presence of other network elements described herein is understood as implicitly described in aspects relating to network systems. Additional network elements can include firewalls, authentication protocols, virtual private network elements, etc.

[0332] Also or alternatively to algorithmic engines (software based on algorithm(s) / programming), engines can comprise or can represent artificial intelligence models (AIMs) or AI systems. Artificial intelligence systems are well known and accordingly only briefly described herein. In aspects, function(s) are carried out by AIM(s). In aspects, some, most, generally all, or all of the AIM(s) of a device / method are trainable AIMs (e.g., AIMs that perform machine learning (ML)). E.g., computerized devices can comprise AIMs that are trained with the analyses and associated results / outcomes from performing methods of the technology (e.g., an AIM can be trained with analysis of material samples from various geologic units along with associated outcomes relating to, e.g., the production of hydrogen from such geologic units).

[0333] A variety of known ML algorithms / models are known that can be employed in such approaches (executed in / by AIMs), such as data classification methods, Naive Bayes classification (or Bayesian network methods), decision tree methods, decision rule methods, regression methods (e.g., logistic regression, lasso regression, SVM regression, ridge regression, or linear regression), random forest methods, support vector machine methods, and neural network methods, which are often employed in supervised ML methods. In aspects, ML models comprise method(s) often used in unsupervised or reinforced ML methods such as k-means (or variants thereof, such as K density-based neighbor analytical models, such as k-nearest neighbor analysis; other clustering methods (e.g., partitional clustering, mean shift clustering, density based clustering (e.g., DBSCAN methods), or hierarchical clustering (such as agglomerative clustering)); and multi-dimensional mapping methods, such as self-organizing mapping methods; and affinity mapping (e.g., for detection of events or prediction of events). In aspects, reinforcedlearning methods are applied such as network methods. In aspects, ML methods include ML methods for decomplicating data such as decomposition methods, such as single value decomposition methods, dimensionality reduction methods (e.g., principal component analysis (PCA), Singular value decomposition (SVD), or TSNE), etc. In aspects, ML methods employ model-free methods, such as in the context of reinforced learning, such as a Q-Leaning method. In aspects, MLIFs comprise model-agnostic methods, such as Partial Dependence Plot (PDP) methods, ICE methods, ALE plot methods, LIME methods, and the like. Other ML models that can be employed include partial dependence plot methods, Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Generalized Additive Models (GAMs), and the like. MLIFs can comprise deep learning methods, shallow learning methods, or a combination of these or any other suitable “ML” (machine learning) methods alone or in combination with other AI methods.

[0334] In aspects, engine(s) of a system can be implemented, in part, by operation of one or more neural network(s), either by direct operation of the neural network or by indirect operation of the neural network operating in coordination with other system elements. E.g., analytical neural networks are often referred to as “inferencing engines” or “neural network inferencing engines.” Thus, in general, any general description of an engine herein, can be performed by any type of computer component, including a classic computer program, object, library, or more advanced system such as neural networks, and uncontradicted, the general use of the term “engine” implicitly discloses corresponding aspects of each such type of engine and for neural network and non-neural network engines, in general. Neural network methods and systems for understanding and applying user personality types and for operation of other functions / steps are known, which may be useful in the performance of some methods of the technology. Relevant principles, methods, and the like are described in, e.g., US20210288926; US10991142; US20190205382; US20200395008; US11275895; US20210182663; US10049103; WO2021185998; US20180075483; US20210390876; US11257496; WO2021258000; and US 11,516,158. Neural networks can be referred to as a “model” or in respect of a “model.” The term “model” is sometimes applied to NNs, in general (i.e., in the sense that a NN can be considered an analytical model, computational model, machine learning model, etc.). In another sense, the term “model” in the art refers to either the function or type of function performed by a neural network (e.g., semantic element prediction) or a neural network characterized as being trained to perform a function. Neural networks and other AIMs typically are “intelligent” systems and can “learn” or “evolve” with training / learning, including learning / training that occurs through use that increases the overall training set available to theNN, feedback, or both. Methods of NNs are known in the art. Uncontradicted, training of an NN herein comprises performance of various techniques that typically result, usually indirectly, in detectable or significant changes in weight(s) of neuron(s) of an NN, usually also or alternatively leading to a detectably or significantly change in output, in terms of output of the NN or of the system, in respect of a given analysis / function, input, or both. Typically, such changes in weights occur from further training of the neural network or changing the parameters of such training (e.g., applying different rewards to an NN for complying with a standard, such as output of another NN). Skilled readers will understand that in this and several other respects, systems / methods of the technology embody “deep learning” approaches to information processing / analysis. Because NN(s) “learn” and “evolve,” NN(s) (or models) can be described as either immature or mature. While such terms are relative, they will be generally understood in the art at least in clear cases (e.g., immature NN(s) / model(s) meaning models in the first number of iterations of a method / use of a system and mature NN(s) / model(s) meaning when an NN approaches convergence (e.g., generally or substantially producing substantially identical results in each use / iteration).

[0335] In one such aspect, the technology includes a computer that is configured to evaluate hydrogen proxy measurements or hydrogen proxy + hydrogen measurements in material(s), e.g., in a plurality of samples of material(s), and from such data to aid in the identification of areas of likely high hydrogen content / purity. Such functions / engines can comprise, e.g., comparison of data against standards, comparison of data to each other (performing comparative analyses), or both. Such functions can comprise, e.g., data regarding patterns of data from materials, e.g., from geologic units, with relation to hydrogen location, production, etc. E.g., such a function may identify, e.g., a zone within a geologic unit that is expected to contain highly purified hydrogen, e.g., by the identification of a helium cap or other feature that appears to be trapping such hydrogen.

[0336] In aspects, computer technology can be used in providing recommendations to a user of a device or analytical system for carrying out any one or more of the above-described methods of the technology. For example, a recommendation function / engine can recommend the use of different extraction conditions (e.g., time, amount of force, or both). A recommendation engine might also or alternative recommend analysis of samples from a nearby location. A recommendation engine might also or alternatively recommend analyzing other sources of data from those currently input into an analysis, or removing certain data (e.g., outlier data, confusingdata, etc.). A computer system can for eliminating data, for optimizing data relied upon in analyses, etc.

[0337] Computer technology also can be used in automating any of the above-described steps of methods of the technology. E.g., computer technology can be used to control the operation of an analytical device of the technology or used to perform the technology. E.g., the computer technology can either allow a user to selectively control operation of some, most, generally all, or all components or devices used to perform steps of methods, to control the operation of some, most, generally all, or all such devices / components based on preprogrammed conditions (which can be hard programmed, conditionally triggered (e.g., by if / then or while engine structures / algorithms), or both).

[0338] The term “training” in connection with an AIM, such as a neural network, is understood in the art as comprising determining better / optimal operating parameters / conditions for a neural network to perform function(s). Typically, training comprises determining and applying the best set of weights for maximizing accuracy of an NN (adjusting weights in iteration(s) of use / performance) or other AIM.

[0339] AIMs are computer implemented models of analysis, functioning, or both, can mimic human learning, e.g., by regularly, frequently, or continuously learning with further uses / iterations / applications. AIMs can, in aspects, such as in neural networks, also may undergo some amount of training by human system administrators or by operation of other device / system components as described herein (e.g., a secondary AIM). E.g., a device may utilize an AIM in determining a user’s PSP, in selecting / generating operational control instructions, in determining trigger event criteria, optimizing stimulation, etc. REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIMENTS / EMBODIMENTS (“EXAMPLES”)

[0340] The following detailed exemplary expository descriptions or experiments involving embodiments, applications, or related principles, of or otherwise related to the invention ("Examples") are provided to assist readers in further understanding aspects of the invention or principles related to the invention or practice of aspects of the invention.

[0341] Any particular materials, methods, steps, and conditions employed / described in the following Examples, and any results thereof, are merely intended to further illustrate aspects of the invention. These Examples reflect exemplary embodiments of the invention, and the specific methods, findings, principles of such Examples, and the general implications thereof,can be combined with any other part of this However, readers should understand that the invention is not limited by these Examples or any part thereof.

[0342] The following exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures provided with this disclosure. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS SHOWN IN THE FIGURES Example 1 (Figure 1)

[0343] Example 1 demonstrates an aspect of the invention directed to determining the total amount of hydrogen in a drill cutting sample collected from a petroleum well which is sealed at the well upon its collection. Figure 1 provides an example demonstrating the determination of the amount of hydrogen present in a sample, e.g., a geologic sample, e.g., drill cuttings, core samples, or other solid samples or drilling muds, at the time the sample was collected, such as, e.g., at the time, e.g., drill cutting(s) sample(s) arrived at the surface from their original sub-surface location.

[0344] In a first aspect, Figure 1 illustrates the determination of the total amount of hydrogen originally present in a material prior to its collection, wherein the material is sampled, e.g., in this example collected as a drill cutting sample and sealed upon collection from a petroleum well by way of (1) measuring the amount of molecular hydrogen in the sample; and (2) adding the measured amount of molecular hydrogen to (a) an originally present, but now consumed, amount of hydrogen used in (consumed by) water (H2O) production, wherein water is produced in the sealed cuttings tube from the reaction of the drill cuttings hydrogen with oxygen present in the collection tube headspace and wherein the amount of water produced is estimated by the reduction in the amount of oxygen present, and (b) an originally present, but now consumed, amount of hydrogen used in (consumed by) ammonia (NH3) production, wherein ammonia is produced in the sealed cuttings tube from the reaction of the drill cuttings hydrogen with nitrogen present in the collection tube headspace and wherein the amount of ammonia produced is estimated by the reduction in the amount of nitrogen present.

[0345] As shown in Figure 1, the amount of original material-associated hydrogen (e.g., rock material associated hydrogen), e.g., present in a rock material sample at the moment such a rock material sample, e.g., drill cutting sample, is hermetically sealed in a container (such as a cuttings sample tube) can be reconstructed. Specifically, as illustrated in Figure 1, the amount of directly measured (analyzed) molecular hydrogen associated with a material sample, e.g., drill cuttings sample, or, e.g., as shown a plurality of samples collected from varying depths of apetroleum well, is obtained (Line (A)). An amount of hydrogen originally present in the material but which is consumed in the production of water within the sealed sample container by way of the sample being in contact with air within the sample container headspace upon sample collection is further obtained for each sample (Line (B)). Water is produced by the reaction of material sample-associated molecular hydrogen with oxygen trapped in the sealed container headspace. An estimated amount of hydrogen originally present in the material but which is consumed in the production of ammonia within the sealed sample container by way of the sample being in contact with air within the sample container headspace upon sample collection is also obtained for each sample (Line (C)). Ammonia is produced by the reaction of material sample-associated molecular hydrogen with nitrogen trapped in the sealed container headspace.

[0346] The sum of analyzed molecular hydrogen (H2) (reflected in Line (A)), the amount of hydrogen in the water (H2O) produced in the sealed tube from cuttings hydrogen and head space oxygen (reflected in Line (B)), and the hydrogen in the ammonia (NH3) produced in the sealed tube from cuttings hydrogen and head space nitrogen (reflected in Line (C)) is obtained and is illustrated as Line D in Figure 1. Line D represents the original material / cuttings hydrogen at the moment the cuttings were hermetically sealed in the cutting’s container. Line D equals the sum of lines A, B, and C.

[0347] Plots of depth on the vertical axis (y-axis) (with more shallow depths on the top and deeper depths on the bottom), versus geologically relevant / geologically significant value(s) on the horizontal axis (x-axis), is a common depiction of bore hole data and is referred to as logs, or well logs. Lines A to D reflect material / cuttings well logs molecular hydrogen (Line A), hydrogen in produced water (Line B), hydrogen in produced ammonia (Line C), and total hydrogen at time the sample was trapped and hermetically sealed in a material / drill cuttings container (Line D).

[0348] In an additional or alternative aspect, an element of this disclosure provided in or relating to the disclosure of Fig.1 is as follows.

[0349] As described elsewhere herein, a detectable or significant amount of hydrogen present in a material sample, e.g., a geologic sample, e.g., drill cutting(s) sample at the time the sample is first collected may be converted to ammonia. Further, a detectable or significant amount of hydrogen present in a material sample, e.g., a geologic sample, e.g., drill cutting(s) sample at the time the sample is first collected may be converted to water. Such hydrogenconversion can occur upon the exposure of sample to air, e.g., air present in the headspace of a sample collection container.

[0350] In one sense, Figure 1 provides a graph much like a traditional well log (or graphs presented in the Prior Smith Patents), showing depth of the geologic location from which samples were collected (e.g., the depth of a well from which cutting samples were collected) on the Y-axis and the amount of analyte measured in the sample collected from each depth on the X-axis. Line A of Figure 1 illustrates the analyzed hydrogen log of the collected and analyzed samples.

[0351] This line can indicate the amount of molecular hydrogen directly measured in each sample. The line is a zero line, indicated by the “Ø” at the bottom of the graph. “X” indictors indicate where, along the depth of the geologic location, e.g., oil well, the sample was collected. Note that specific “X” indicators are provided for Line A but for the sake of simplicity are not reflected in each of Lines B – D. Line B of Figure 1 illustrates the amount of hydrogen calculated to be needed to make water in each of the analyzed samples. Line B indicates the amount of hydrogen consumed by the formation of water. This line is also a zero line, as indicated by the “0” at the bottom of the graph. Line C of Figure 1 illustrates the amount of hydrogen needed to make ammonia in each of the analyzed samples. Line C indicates the amount of hydrogen consumed by the formation of ammonia. This line is also a zero line, as indicated by the “0” at the bottom of the graph. Line D of Figure 1 illustrates the log created by adding all three of the values associated with each of lines A, B, and C together. Line D represents the amount of hydrogen in the material sample, e.g., drill cutting(s) sample(s), at the time they arrived at the Earth’s surface and were hermetically sealed in collection container(s). Line D indicates the amount of hydrogen in the original sample prior to water and ammonia production.

[0352] As shown in Figure 1, the amount of hydrogen in the original material sampled at different depths of an, e.g., petroleum well, can be determined and compared. As illustrated in Figure 1, the invention provided herein is able to detect variation(s) in the amount(s) of hydrogen present across varying depths of a geologic location such as a petroleum well.

[0353] Figure 1 can be in one sense considered to provide an illustration of adding analyzed molecular hydrogen, plus original but now consumed hydrogen calculated from estimated ammonia production, e.g., in a sealed cuttings tube from reaction of cuttings hydrogen with nitrogen in the tubes head space air., plus original but now consumed hydrogen calculated from, e.g., estimated water production in the sealed cuttings tube from reaction of cuttingshydrogen with oxygen in the tubes head to obtain a calculated amount of hydrogen estimated to be present in the material located at the location from which the material sample was collected.

[0354] In yet an additional / alternative description of Figure 1, Figure 1 illustrates how hydrogen, originally present in samples collected from various depths below the surface of the Earth and sealed in the presence of ambient air prior to analysis, can be determined.

[0355] The graph of Figure 1 shows the depth from the surface of the Earth on the y-axis with the top of the y-axis indicated as, e.g., 0, that is the surface of the earth. The y-axis is also labeled with xxx, where xxx is the depth at which a sample is collected. For example, if a sample was collected at a location identified as being 50 feet below the surface, such sample would be identified as “50” or “-50.” If another sample was collected from a location identified as 100 feet below the surface, it would be identified as “100” or “-100,” respectively.

[0356] The depth at which the sample is collected is typically measured in feet or meters. However, miles or kilometers (or fractions thereof) may be appropriate units of measure.

[0357] The lower part of the y-axis which intersects the x-axis is labeled as “xxx +yyy.” In the case that the top of the graph equals the surface of the earth, then xxx would equal 0 feet or meters, for example (as appropriate), and a sample taken from 1,543 feet below the surface for example would be labeled as 1543, -1543, 01543, -01543, as appropriate. However, the top of the y-axis does not need to be the surface of the Earth. For example, it may be a certain depth within a known formation which is identified as being a certain depth from the surface in a well or borehole, for example, where such samples were collected. In such case, if a reference point within the formation was 540 feet below the surface in the well or borehole where samples were being collected, then xxx would be 540 or 0540 (for example) and a sample collected at 1,680 feet below such reference point would have a yyy of 1680 and xxx+yyy would be labeled as 2220.

[0358] Alternatively, a particular reference point in a formation may be given an xxx value of 0, 00, 000, or 0000 for example. In this case a sample collected 1,000 feet below the reference point would be given a value of 1000 or 01000, for example which equals xxx+yyy, that is yyy equals 1000, for example. In the event that a sample was collected from a location closer the surface than the reference point of 0, then it would be given an negative value, i.e., a sample collected at 100 ft above the reference point would be given a value of -100, -0100, or - 00100 for example, that is xxx equals 0 and yyy equal -100.

[0359] The x-axis of Figure 1, shows four (4) separate zero-lines. Each line provides values for the amount of hydrogen gas, or proxy for hydrogen gas, in a sample collected at a given depth, wherein the x on the left most curve indicates a sample collected at given location (xxx+yyy). For a given line, any deviation to the right of the zero reference marked on the x-axis for such curve is indicative that hydrogen was measured using the methodology specified for such curve, to be discussed. In this case, the amount of deviation to the right does not indicate an absolute amount of hydrogen. Rather the deviation is relative to another sample evaluated using the same methodology. That is, a point for a sample further to the right has more hydrogen than a point further to the left, and a point associated with a sample which is positioned further to the left has less hydrogen than a point associated with a sample which is positioned further to the right as measured by the same methodology. Such a scale may be linear, logarithmic, or some other function but will be the same function for a given curve. The same function does not need to be used for each curve; that is, e.g., one curve may be a linear function, and one or more other curves may be logarithmic.

[0360] As previously described, the samples identified by the x points on the left most curve of Figure 1 were sealed upon collection in the presence of ambient air. At some point after sealing the samples, they were analyzed for the amount of hydrogen or hydrogen proxy in the sample.

[0361] The leftmost line (also referred to herein as a curve) identified as “(A) Molecular H2 analyzed” is the actual amount of hydrogen gas measured in the analyzed sealed sample. As is illustrated, there are numerous samples which contain little to no hydrogen as suggested by large portions of the line being aligned with the zero point associated with line A. However, there are 2 distinct locations, as indicated by portions of the line, where a distinctly identifiable amount of hydrogen was measured in the location-associated samples; one at a relatively shallower depth and another at a relatively deeper depth.

[0362] The line / curve to the right of the left most line / curve, labeled “(B) H2 from water consumption estimate” provides an estimate of the amount of hydrogen that was in the sample at the time it was sealed but which has reacted with oxygen, O2, from the ambient air in the sealed sample to produce water (H2O). For every molecule of water that is produced, a single molecule of H2 is consumed. Alternately, for every molecule of oxygen, O2, consumed, 2 molecules of hydrogen (H2) are consumed. Thus, to better account for the amount of hydrogen in the sample present immediately upon its collection, when it was sealed, the amount of hydrogen that was consumed by reacting with oxygen is added to the amount of hydrogen reflected in Line A(directly measured hydrogen). Line B of the amount of hydrogen consumed by its reaction with oxygen in the ambient air present in the headspace of the sample container comprising the material sample.

[0363] It should be noted that such an estimate can be made based on the amount of oxygen that remains in the tube when the sample was analyzed for hydrogen directly, i.e., when curve A was generated. Typically, ambient air is about 21-22% O2; as such, if it is observed that the amount of O2 was 22% when the sample was sealed and 20% when the sample was analyzed, then the amount of oxygen consumed can be estimated to be 2% multiplied by the volume of the ambient air in the sample when sealed, which can be estimated, e.g., by measuring, the amount of argon in the sealed sample when analyzed since the amount of argon in samples derived from the Earth is typically close to zero, and, further, argon does not detectably or significantly react with hydrogen. As the amount of hydrogen consumed is twice the amount oxygen consumed in the production of water, the amount of hydrogen consumed in the production of water would be twice the amount of oxygen consumed.

[0364] Alternatively, the amount of water generated to yield curve B can be measured. For each molecule of water generated, one molecule of hydrogen is consumed.

[0365] Still further, as an additional alternative, as the amount of oxygen consumed in reacting with hydrogen is directly proportional to the amount of water produced, 1 molecule of oxygen consumed for each 2 molecules of water produced, one could measure both the amount of oxygen consumed and the amount of water produced to obtain an estimate of the amount of hydrogen consumed by the sealed sample reacting with the oxygen in the volume of trapped ambient air within the container. However, the measurement of both oxygen consumed and water produced is not necessary to generate line B.

[0366] It should be noted that line / curve B typically only provides an estimate of hydrogen in the original sample when curve A also indicates that hydrogen is present in the sample. In aspects, exceptions are (1) when all of the hydrogen in the sample is consumed, then curve A may provide indicate zero or essentially zero value for the amount of hydrogen in the sample and curve B may give a positive value, or (2) no ambient air is sealed with the sample; e.g., the sample occupies the entire space in the tube or the ambient air is displace with an inert gas such as argon such that there is no oxygen to react with the hydrogen. If an insufficient amount of time is allowed for the oxygen present in the sealed sample to react, line / curve B may not give a positive estimate, or may provide a diminished estimate, of the amount of hydrogen inthe sample, whereby line / curve A can hydrogen was present at the time the sample was sealed.

[0367] The curve to the right of curve B, labeled “(C) H2 from ammonia consumption estimate” is similar to curve B in that it provides an estimate for the amount of hydrogen in the sample when it was sealed, with ambient air, immediately upon its collection, except in the case of line / curve C it reflects the amount of hydrogen that was consumed by the hydrogen of the sample reacting with Nitrogen in the ambient air, typically present in ambient air at a concentration of about 77%, to produce ammonia.1.5 molecules of H2 are consumed for each molecule of NH3 produced. As the amount of ammonia in samples derived from the Earth is negligible, any ammonia generated and measured can be directly equated with an amount of hydrogen consumed to produce line / curve C.

[0368] Alternatively, one can measure the amount of Nitrogen in the air within the container (identifying the amount of Nitrogen consumed) to estimate the amount of hydrogen that was present when the sample was sealed with ambient air but consumed in the production of ammonia. For each molecule of Nitrogen (N2) consumed, three molecules of hydrogen (H2) are consumed to produce 2 molecules of NH3. Thus, if the concentration of N2 in the air was originally 77% when the sample was sealed and is determined to be 74% when the sample is analyzed, then a 3% reduction in the concentration of nitrogen by virtue of it reacting with hydrogen in the sample at the time it was sealed is identified. Such percentage reduction, 3%, can be multiplied by the volume of ambient air that was sealed in the tube to get the absolute amount of nitrogen consumed. As with the case for oxygen consumed, the amount of nitrogen in the ambient air which was sealed with the sample can be estimated by measuring the amount of a gas, such as argon, which is present when the sample is analyzed since the amount of argon in samples derived from the Earth is negligible. Thus, the amount of argon measured can be divided by the typical concentration of argon in ambient air, about 1%, to estimate the volume of ambient air sealed in the tube.

[0369] Upon calculating the absolute amount of nitrogen consumed (N2), the amount of hydrogen (H2) that was in the sample when sealed but consumed to produce ammonia can be calculated by multiplying the amount of nitrogen consumed by 3 to generate line curve C. As the relationship between the amount of nitrogen consumed in reacting with hydrogen is directly related to the amount of ammonia produced, that is 1 molecule of N2 is consumed to produce 2 molecules of ammonia (NH3) both the amount of ammonia produced and the amount of nitrogen consumed can be determined to generate a more accurate curve C. However, it is not necessaryto measure both nitrogen consumed and generated to generate an estimate of hydrogen consumed in the production of ammonia. For the same reasons that were discussed relative to line / curve B, typically line / curve C will generate a positive estimate of hydrogen present when sealed but consumed when there is a positive value for curve A for the same sample. For the same reasons that were discussed for curve B, such a relationship may not always exist.

[0370] To obtain a more accurate estimate of the amount of hydrogen present in sample(s) at the time of sealing, the amount of hydrogen that is measured directly in the sealed sample (curve A), the amount of hydrogen that was in sample when sealed but consumed to produce water (curve B) and the amount hydrogen that was in the sample when sealed but consumed to produce ammonia (curve C) can be added together. This sum is reflected in curve D labeled “original cuttings H2 before water & ammonia production;” where curve D is the addition of the amount of hydrogen present for a given sample as indicated in lines / curves A, B, and C. If, for example, there was no hydrogen in a sample when sealed, the values of lines / curves A, B, and C would be 0 respectively, and curve D would also be 0. Alternatively, if there was a measurable amount of hydrogen in the sample when it was sealed with ambient air immediately upon its collection, and not all, but some, of the hydrogen reacted with oxygen and nitrogen to form water and ammonia respectively, then lines / curves A, B and C may give values of, e.g., 1, 2, and 3 respectively (ignoring the stoichiometry of the reaction between hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen) to generate a value of 6 for curve D for such sample when analyzed. To be clear, the value provided for a given sample, collected from a location at a given depth, represented in line / curve D is always the summation of the values of hydrogen (measured directly or estimated) indicated in lines / curves A, B, and C.

[0371] As the Figure 1 graph indicates, this non-limiting example provides results for drill cutting samples that were collected and sealed immediately with ambient air, e.g., in a container with headspace containing ambient air. However, other material sample(s) could be, e.g., other types of geological samples, such as, e.g., core samples. This representative sample provides an estimate of the amount of hydrogen that was in the sample when sealed at the surface. In aspects, one may also perform this procedure to measure the amount of hydrogen that is in the drilling mud derived from the same location as the cutting or core sample to account for any hydrogen that escapes from the sample when collected at a particular location in the Earth into the drilling mud. As with the drill cutting(s) or core sample(s), drilling mud sample(s) can be sealed with ambient air, and any hydrogen in the drilling mud when the sample is sealed may react with oxygen and nitrogen to produce water and ammonia. As such, complementarylines / curves A, B, C and D can be generated for the drilling mud. In certain aspects, to obtain an estimate of the amount of hydrogen in a sample at the time of its collection from a location below the surface of the Earth, results from drilling mud obtained as described above can be combined with the results obtained as described above from drill cutting(s) sample(s), core sample(s), or both, for location(s) from which sample(s) are / were collected. In aspects, such an estimate can assume that no hydrogen is lost from the cuttings / core samples and drilling mud or gained into cuttings / core samples and drilling muds into / from the rest of the rock in the well / borehole. ...

Claims

1. A method for measuring the amount of hydrogen in a material comprising (1) obtaining an analyzable amount of a material as a sample, (2) subjecting the sample to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extract one or more easily released volatile substances from the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising at least one hydrogen proxy, (3) collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances, and (4) measuring the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy in the collected portion of the easily released volatile substances and using the measurement in a determination of the amount of hydrogen in the material.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises isolating the sample by placing the sample in an enclosed environment prior to subjecting the sample to the one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the gas consists essentially of air.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprises at least one application of a gentle vacuum pressure.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises analyzing the amount of hydrogen in the sample and using both the amount of hydrogen and the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy to quantify the hydrogen in the material.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises ammonia.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises an ammonia proxy.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the ammonia proxy comprises nitrogen, and wherein the method comprises using the quantity of air in the enclosed environment to determine the amount of ammonia produced from hydrogen in the sample prior to isolating the sample.

11. The method of claim 1, at least one hydrogen proxy comprises a water proxy.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment; the water proxy is oxygen; and wherein the method comprises using the quantity of air in the enclosed environment to determine the amount of water produced from hydrogen in the sample prior to isolating the sample.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one hydrogen proxy comprises ammonia or an ammonia proxy and a water or a water proxy, and the quantity of hydrogen in the material is determined by adding an amount of hydrogen lost to ammonia production as determined at least in part by the measurement of the ammonia or the ammonia proxy; an amount of hydrogen lost to water production as determined at least in part by the measurement of the water or the water proxy; and the hydrogen directly measured in the material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sample is isolated in the enclosed environment with a gas, the gas is air, and the method comprises measuring the amount of argon in the air to determine the amount of air in the enclosed environment.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the method comprises removing water from the sample, the extracted easily released volatile substances, or both, prior to or concurrently with collecting the portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances comprising the at least one hydrogen proxy.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the removal of water from the sample, the extracted easily released volatile substances, or both, is performed by actions comprising subjecting the extracted easily released volatile substances to a media that selectively traps a portion of the easily released volatile substances that (1) comprises water, (2) does not comprise all of the very small volatile substances in the easily released volatile substances, and (3) does not comprise the at least one hydrogen proxy.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the removal of water from the extracted easily released volatile substances, the sample, or both, is performed by actions comprising contacting the extracted easily released volatile substances with a cryogenic trap such that the trapped portion of the easily released volatile substances condenses to the cryogenic trap and the collected portion of the easily released volatile substances comprising the at least one hydrogen proxy does not condense to the cryogenic trap.

18. The method of claim 17, determination of the amount of hydrogen comprises using an atom compound presence factor to assess the amount of hydrogen originally contained in the sample.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 - 18, wherein the method comprises collecting multiple samples from different parts of a geologic unit and separately subjecting each of the samples to the other steps of the method to generate a map of hydrogen amounts present in the different parts of the geologic unit.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the multiple samples comprise a plurality of a drill cutting, a mud sample, a core sample, or a combination of any or all thereof.

21. The method of any one of claims 1 - 18, wherein the method comprises comparing the quantity of hydrogen measured in the one or more easily released volatile substances to the quantity of helium measured in the one or more easily released volatile substances.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method comprises analyzing a plurality of samples from different parts of a geologic unit, determining the amount of hydrogen and the amount of helium in the plurality of samples, and identifying one or more areas of high hydrogen content; one or more areas of high helium content; one or more areas of high hydrogen content and low helium content; one or more areas of high helium content and low hydrogen content; or any combination thereof in the geologic unit.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the method comprises subjecting one or more samples to different volatile extraction conditions, wherein one of the different volatile extraction conditions results in the extraction of a significantly greater amount of hydrogen than helium and a different one of the different volatile extraction conditions results in extraction of a significantly greater amount of helium than hydrogen.

24. The method of any one of claims 1 - 18, wherein the application of one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprises subjecting the sample to at least two separate applications of gentle vacuum pressure, the at least two separate applications of gentle vacuum pressure comprising a first vacuum having a first pressure applied for a first time period and a second vacuum having either the first pressure or a pressure that is substantially the same pressure as the first pressure applied for a second period, wherein the second period is substantially longer than the first period, and, wherein the first vacuum and the second vacuum extract different amounts of hydrogen from the sample.

25. The method of claim 24, at least two separate applications of gentle vacuum pressure further comprise a third vacuum having a second pressure applied for a third period and a fourth vacuum having either the second pressure or a that is substantially the same pressure as the second pressure applied for a fourth period, wherein the fourth period is substantially longer than the third period, and, wherein at least one of the first vacuum, second vacuum, third vacuum, and fourth vacuum extracts different amounts of hydrogen from the sample.

26. A method for identifying conditions for enhanced production of highly purified hydrogen from a material comprising (1) obtaining at least one sample comprising an analyzable amount of a material comprising hydrogen and helium, (2) subjecting the sample to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces to extract a plurality of extracted gas aliquots from the sample, each aliquot comprising a plurality of easily released volatile substances if such easily released volatile substances are present in the sample, wherein (a) the plurality of extracted easily released volatile substances comprise (i) hydrogen, a hydrogen proxy, or both hydrogen and a hydrogen proxy, and (ii) helium, and (b) either (I) the at least one sample comprises multiple samples, wherein a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium is extracted from at least one sample of the multiple samples than at least one other sample of the multiple samples, (II) the method comprises subjecting the at least one sample to at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprising a first gentle vacuum equivalent force that extracts a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium from the at least one sample than at least a second gentle vacuum equivalent force of the at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces, or (III) the at least one sample comprises multiple samples, wherein a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium is extracted from at least one sample of the multiple samples than at least one other sample of themultiple samples and comprises subjecting the at least one sample to at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprising a first gentle vacuum equivalent force that extracts a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium from the at least one sample than at least a second gentle vacuum force of the at least two different gentle vacuum forces, (3) collecting at least a portion of each of the plurality of extracted gas aliquots, and (4) obtaining measurements of (i) hydrogen, the hydrogen proxy, or both hydrogen and the hydrogen proxy, and (ii) helium, in each of the collected portions of extracted gas aliquots, and (5) using the measurements from the collected portions of the extracted gas aliquots to identify (a) a gentle vacuum equivalent force that selectively extracts hydrogen from the material, (b) the at least one sample that is associated with the relatively higher amount of hydrogen extraction than helium extraction, or (c) both (a) and (b).

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one sample comprises multiple samples, wherein a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium is extracted from at least one sample of the multiple samples than at least one other sample of the multiple samples, and the measurements are used to identify the at least one sample that is associated with the relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the samples are obtained from a geologic unit, and the method comprises identifying separated areas of relatively high helium concentration and relatively high hydrogen concentration in the geologic unit.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the method comprises subjecting the at least one sample to at least two different gentle vacuum equivalent forces comprising a first gentle vacuum equivalent force that extracts a relatively higher amount of hydrogen than helium from the at least one sample than at least a second gentle vacuum force of the at least two different gentle vacuum forces and the measurements are used to identify a gentle vacuum equivalent force that selectively extracts hydrogen from the material.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first gentle vacuum equivalent force and the second gentle vacuum equivalent force each comprise gentle vacuum pressures.

31. The method of claim 30, first gentle vacuum equivalent force and the second gentle vacuum equivalent force differ in terms of the duration of the gentle vacuum force application to the sample.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the first gentle vacuum equivalent force and the second gentle vacuum equivalent forces differ according to the strength of the vacuum pressure applied to the sample.

33. A method for evaluating the hydrogen generation capacity of a material comprising (1) obtaining a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material, (2) contacting the material with an aqueous liquid under conditions that will result in hydrogen generation if the material is an effective hydrogen-generating material, to form a water-treated material, (3) subjecting the water-treated material to one or more gentle vacuum equivalent forces that extract one or more easily released volatile substances from the sample, if present, the one or more easily released volatile substances comprising hydrogen, at least one hydrogen proxy, or both, (4) collecting at least a portion of the extracted easily released volatile substances, (5) measuring the hydrogen content, hydrogen proxy content, or both the hydrogen and hydrogen proxy content of the portion in the portion, and (6) evaluating the ability of the material to generate hydrogen from the measurement or measurements obtained from step (5).

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the material is a sample of a geologic material obtained from a geologic unit.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the material comprises a rock material comprising ferrous oxide.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises (1) obtaining a plurality of compositionally similar samples of the material and (b) contacting each sample of the plurality of compositionally similar samples with an aqueous substance selected from at least two different aqueous substances, wherein the at least two different aqueous substances differ in one or more physiochemical properties, and wherein the method is used to further evaluate the impact of using the different aqueous substances on the generation of hydrogen from the material.

37. The method of claim 36, at least two different aqueous substances differ in salinity, dissolved solids, pH, Eh (oxidation-reduction potential), or a combination of any or all thereof.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises (1) obtaining a plurality of compositionally similar samples of the material and (b) contacting each sample of the plurality of compositionally similar samples with an aqueous substance under different environmental conditions, and wherein the method is used to further evaluate the impact of the different environmental conditions on the generation of hydrogen from the material.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the different conditions comprise application of different mechanical stresses, different temperature conditions, different pressure conditions, or a combination of any or all thereof.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises evaluating the material’s ability to efficiently sequester carbon, sulfur, or both.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the evaluation of the material’s ability to effectively sequester carbon, sulfur, or both comprises application of x-ray diffraction (XRD), x- ray fluorescence (XRF), or equivalent means for identifying material chemistry, and using the results thereof to compare against empirical data in evaluating the material’s ability to effectively sequester carbon, sulfur, or both.

42. A method of generating hydrogen from a material comprising (1) contacting a material identified as an effective hydrogen-generating material using the method of any one or more of claims 33 - 41 under conditions that are effective for the generation of hydrogen from the material and (2) collecting at least a portion of the generated hydrogen.

43. A device for the rapid analysis of hydrogen in a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material, comprising (1) a movable container comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment occupying a position among a plurality of positions, each compartment (a) comprising a separate inlet, a separate outlet, or both, and (b) being configured to receive an analyzable sample of a solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material at a first position among the plurality of positions and to deliver the sample to one or more other positions of the plurality of positions, (2) an extraction component positioned in effective proximity to at least one of the plurality of positions and that is configured to selectively apply one or more gentlevacuum equivalent extraction forces to one or more aliquots of easily extractable volatile substances from the sample of solid or semisolid mineral aggregate material received by the movable container, (3) a container movement component that causes the movable container to move and thereby causes the different compartments of the plurality of the compartments to be located at the plurality of positions at different times during operation of the device, the plurality of positions comprising a first position and a second position, wherein a first compartment when located in the first position is configured to receive a first sample delivered to the device at the same time that a second compartment in the second position is oriented to expose a second sample contained therein to the extraction component, (4) a trap component that selectively removes water from at least a first portion of each of the one or more aliquots, (5) a collection component that selectively collects a second portion of each of the one or more aliquots, (6) an analytical component that analyzes the easily released volatile content of each collected second portion of the one or more aliquots and measures the amount of the at least one hydrogen proxy therein, and (7) an output component for relaying the analysis of the analytical component to a user, a different system, or both, wherein (8) the device is configured to cause the container movement component to move the movable container to cause the first compartment to be in the first position and the second compartment to be in the second position and to thereafter move each of the first compartment and second compartment to different positions.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the moveable container is a rotational container that is configured to gravitationally receive the first sample when delivered to the device and to gravitationally deposit the second sample in a location where the second sample can be subjected to the extraction component.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein the device comprises a disposal component that is configured to remove a sample from the device and dispose of such sample after the sample has been exposed to the extraction component, and wherein the disposal component is configured to automatically discard the sample after the extraction component ceases operating on the sample, and, in operation, the disposal of a third sample occurs within 0-60 seconds from the time that the second sample is delivered to second position.

46. The device of claim 45, disposal of the third sample occurs within 0- 15 seconds from the time that the second sample is delivered to second position.

47. The device of claim 45, wherein the trap component comprises a cryogenic trap.

48. The device of claim 47, wherein the cryogenic trap is not associated with any heating element, the device comprises a trapped gas disposal component, or both.

49. The device of any one or more of claims 43 - 48, wherein (1) the device comprises a flow path between the extraction component and the analytical component and is configured such that each of the one or more aliquots flow from the extraction component to the trap component, the second portion flows from the area of the device comprising the trap component to the collection component, and subsequently to the analytical component and (2) the device comprises a plurality of valves or valve equivalents that permit selective isolation, conditional automatic isolation, or both, of the extraction component, the trap component, the collection component, the analytical component, or a combination of some or all thereof.

50. The device of claim 49, wherein the device comprises a selectively operable, conditionally automatically operable, or selectively and conditionally automatically operable vacuum system that is positioned downstream of the analytical component, such that the vacuum system applies a vacuum force that draws an aliquot or portion of the aliquot through the flow path from the direction of the extraction component to the analytical component.

51. The device of claim 43, wherein the collection component is adapted such that the second portion comprises at least one hydrogen proxy if present in the sample.

52. A method of reducing hydrogen-material interactions comprising (1) contacting a hydrogen-reactive material with an effective amount of helium, (2) allowing the helium to develop a protective association with the hydrogen-reactive material, and (3) removing excess helium from the material.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of developing a protective association between the helium and the hydrogen-reactive material comprises placing the material in a pressure chamber and exposing the material to a pressure that significantly increases the efficacy of the association, speed of the association, or efficacy and speed of the association of the helium and the hydrogen-reactive material.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the material comprises iron, steel, or both.

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