Electrical Stimulation for Geologic Hydrogen Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The commercial-scale production of geologic hydrogen is hindered by the impermeability of rock formations, which limits fluid injection and reaction, and the dependence on high-temperature gradients, making it difficult to extract hydrogen from low-permeability and low-temperature formations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves electrohydraulic fracturing and electrical stimulation of subterranean formations using direct or alternating currents to increase permeability, create fractures, and enhance hydrogen production by increasing reactive surface areas, allowing for the injection of fluids and additives like carbon dioxide to facilitate hydrogen extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fluid injection methods are used, then hydrogen production can occur in permeable formations, but impermeable rock formations cannot be accessed for hydrogen extraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of rock formationsVSAvoidfluid injection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies electrical stimulation to change the physical state and permeability of impermeable rock formations, enabling fluid injection and hydrogen extraction from formations that were previously inaccessible through conventional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical fluid injection methods with electrical stimulation technology, using electrical fields to induce permeability changes and facilitate fluid-rock interaction in formations where mechanical injection fails

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If high-temperature gradients are required for serpentinization reactions, then hydrogen production rate increases, but the process is constrained to thermally perturbed crust regions only

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production rateVSAvoidgeographic applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electrical stimulation to alter temperature and permeability parameters in low-temperature formations, enabling serpentinization reactions to proceed at temperatures and locations previously unsuitable for hydrogen production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies electrical stimulation in advance to prepare low-permeability formations by increasing their permeability and activating reactive mineral surfaces before fluid injection, enabling subsequent hydrogen production without requiring natural high-temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If electrical stimulation is applied to increase permeability and create fractures, then fluid-rock interaction and hydrogen production are enhanced, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen extraction efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs electrical stimulation technology that serves multiple functions simultaneously: increasing formation permeability, creating fractures, heating formations to activate reactions, and stimulating electrochemical hydrogen production, thereby managing system complexity through a multi-functional approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach significantly increases the extraction of geologic hydrogen from previously inaccessible formations by enhancing fluid-rock interaction, improving hydrogen production rates, and allowing for the extraction of hydrogen from both iron-rich and silicon-rich rock formations, even at lower temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

applying current to the fluid and/or the rock within the subterranean formation; heating the rock tailings and fluid to a hydrogen production temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

electrohydraulic fracturing and electrical stimulation of subterranean formations; fracturing the subterranean formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrohydraulic fracturing: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 3

The reaction between water and Si radicals (e.g., Si—O) formed on fresh rock surfaces from breaking Si—O—Si bonds during rock shearing has been known to generate hydrogen. The reaction can be broadly described as Si+water to produce SiOH+hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction between water and silicon radicals: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

depositing at least portion of the carbon dioxide of the fluid into the subterranean formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas deposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240426198A1Electrical stimulation of hydrogen-producing rocks and reservoirs

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 EDEN GEOPOWER INC

AI summary

Methods for producing and extracting geologic hydrogen from rock formations, and related systems, are generally disclosed.