Cased-Wellbore Hydrogen Storage for Embrittlement Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage technologies face challenges with safety risks, such as explosions and vessel embrittlement, and are limited by geographic and geological constraints, particularly when using surface or near-surface tanks.
Innovation Solution
The use of a cased-wellbore storage system (CWS) to store compressed hydrogen and ammonia deep underground in a closed system, utilizing wellbores with casings and surrounding rock formations to provide structural support and confinement, allowing for high-pressure and high-temperature storage independent of geographical conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in compressed gaseous form in surface or near-surface tanks, then large quantities of hydrogen can be stored, but safety risks such as explosions and vessel embrittlement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface-level hydrogen storage to deep underground subsurface storage, utilizing the vertical dimension and subsurface space. This dimensional change isolates the storage system from surface environmental hazards and potential explosion risks while maintaining high storage capacity through large subsurface volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary containment system consisting of multiple barriers: the storage vessel, cement grout annulus, and surrounding host rock formation. These intermediary layers act as protective mediators that prevent direct interaction between stored hydrogen and the surface environment, thereby enhancing safety while maintaining storage capacity.
2Ease of operation
If surface or near-surface tanks are used for hydrogen storage, then storage facilities can be accessed easily, but they are limited by geographic and geological features such as large land space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the subsurface vertical dimension for storage facility placement, freeing up surface land space and eliminating the need for large geographic footprints. This enables hydrogen storage in diverse geographic locations including urban areas where surface space is limited, thereby enhancing adaptability while maintaining operational accessibility through wellhead connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs existing oil and gas well infrastructure for hydrogen storage, making the system universally applicable across different geographic locations without requiring location-specific surface facilities. This multi-functional use of existing subsurface infrastructure enhances both geographic flexibility and operational ease.
3Strength
If steel tanks are used for compressed hydrogen storage, then structural strength can be maintained, but hydrogen embrittlement of the storage vessel occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple intermediary barrier layers between the stored hydrogen and the storage vessel wall: an inner coating layer on the vessel interior and a cement grout annulus surrounding the vessel. These intermediaries prevent direct hydrogen-metal contact that causes embrittlement, while the vessel maintains its structural strength for pressure containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system employs a composite multi-layer structure consisting of the steel storage vessel, protective coating layers, cement grout annulus, and surrounding host rock formation. This composite construction provides both the structural strength needed for high-pressure storage and protection against hydrogen embrittlement through material diversity and barrier properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The CWS system enhances safety by minimizing surface footprint and mitigating embrittlement risks, while providing high-volume, high-density energy storage and efficient energy recovery through underground facilities.
Implementation Method 1
the surrounding rock formation having geomechanical properties that provide stiffness and in situ confining stress to the first CWV
Implementation Method 2
generating electrical power from a sequential expansion of the compressed air and the compressed hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 3
combustion of the compressed hydrogen gas
Data Source
AI summary
A system for fluid storage includes a first cased-wellbore vessel (CWV) provided in a subsurface comprising surrounding rock formation, the surrounding rock formation having geomechanical properties that provide stiffness and in situ confining stress to the first CWV; and a fluid comprising compressed hydrogen gas or hydrogen liquid is stored in the first CWV. Furthermore, using the CWVs in a system for energy storage, energy recovery and generating electrical power for generating electrical power from a sequential expansion of the compressed air and the compressed hydrogen gas or ammonia fluid, and combustion of the compressed hydrogen gas or ammonia fluid.