Underground Fracture Heating for Low-Purification Hydrogen Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for hydrogen production from natural gas are energy-intensive, costly, and generate significant greenhouse gas emissions, requiring multiple purification and separation steps.
Innovation Solution
A method involving heating a first set of fractures in an underground formation to convert hydrocarbons into hydrogen, using a catalyst if necessary, and producing hydrogen from a second set of fractures, with fewer purification and separation steps, and storing greenhouse gases in the formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If steam-methane reforming is used to produce hydrogen from natural gas, then hydrogen can be produced, but energy consumption is high and multiple purification steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the carbon-containing byproducts (CO2 and CO) from the hydrogen production process within the subsurface formation. By injecting oxygen to combust these byproducts in situ, the system separates the hydrogen production function from the carbon management function, allowing hydrogen to be produced with minimal purification needed since CO2 and CO are converted to gaseous products that can be managed separately or reinjected
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful carbon byproducts (CO2 and CO) generated during hydrogen production into a beneficial process by combusting them with injected oxygen to produce additional heat and water vapor. This not only removes the impurities but also provides additional energy to sustain the reforming reaction, reducing the overall energy input required from external sources
2Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional hydrogen production methods are used, then hydrogen can be produced, but greenhouse gas emissions are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 and CO) into a beneficial process by combusting them with injected oxygen. The CO2 and CO produced during steam-methane reforming are burned to generate additional heat and water vapor, which sustains the reforming reaction and reduces the need for external energy input. This eliminates greenhouse gas emissions while reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discards the carbon-containing byproducts (CO2 and CO) from the hydrogen product stream by combusting them in situ. The heat and water vapor generated from this combustion are recovered and used to sustain the reforming reaction, creating a self-sustaining system that eliminates emissions while reducing external energy requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If hydrogen is produced using conventional methods, then hydrogen can be produced, but costs are high due to multiple purification and separation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes carbon-containing byproducts (CO2 and CO) from the hydrogen production process through in-situ combustion with injected oxygen. This eliminates the need for complex downstream purification and separation equipment, simplifying the overall process and reducing capital and operating costs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts harmful carbon byproducts into a beneficial heat source through combustion, eliminating the need for energy-intensive purification steps. By burning CO2 and CO to generate additional heat and water vapor, the system reduces external energy input requirements and eliminates the need for separate carbon capture and purification infrastructure
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 reduces energy consumption, costs, and greenhouse gas emissions while producing relatively pure hydrogen, suitable for unconventional reservoirs with tight rocks, and can enhance oil recovery.
Implementation Method 1
providing heat from a heat source to a first set of fractures to convert a hydrocarbon into hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a catalyst is in the first set of fractures, and the catalyst is used to convert the hydrocarbon into hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
the first set of fractures are heated by injecting steam into the underground formation
Implementation Method 4
the first set of fractures are heated by injecting a mixture including oxygen and methane into the underground formation and combusting the mixture
Implementation Method 5
the first set of fractures are heated by a member selected from the group consisting of an electrical downhole heater and an electromagnetic downhole heater
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for hydrogen production from an underground formation by providing heat to a first set of fractures to convert a hydrocarbon (e.g., methane, ethane, propane) present in the underground formation into hydrogen and producing the hydrogen from a second set of fractures.