Hydrogen Integration in Geothermal Reservoirs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Geothermal power plants face declining performance due to reduced subsurface temperatures, hydrostatic pressure, and mineral precipitation, limiting their output capacity and necessitating the need for supplementary energy sources that do not violate existing power purchase agreements or increase carbon emissions.
Innovation Solution
Integrating hydrogen production and use into geothermal energy systems through subsurface hydrogen extraction or synthesis, utilizing methods like steam methane reformation with carbon capture, electrolysis, and serpentinization reactions to enhance geothermal power plant efficiency and output, while sequestering carbon dioxide and dihydrogen sulfide as mineral products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If geothermal power plants operate continuously to maintain power output, then energy production is sustained, but subsurface temperatures decline and mineral precipitation increases, reducing long-term performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting chemicals into the subsurface formation before significant temperature decline and mineral precipitation occur. This preventive maintenance approach restores permeability and maintains reservoir conditions, allowing continuous power production without long-term degradation. The chemicals are introduced at scheduled intervals to counteract the inevitable temperature drop and mineral buildup that occur during continuous operation.
2Productivity
If supplementary energy sources are added to increase power plant output, then energy production increases, but carbon emissions increase, violating environmental compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of mineral precipitation and temperature decline into a benefit by using chemical injection to restore reservoir permeability. The chemicals that would normally be considered waste products or environmental concerns are instead utilized to clean and maintain the subsurface formation, enhancing power production without additional carbon emissions. This approach transforms potential environmental liabilities into performance-enhancing treatments.
3Productivity
If chemical injection is used to restore subsurface temperatures and pressure, then geothermal efficiency is improved, but system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a system where the geothermal plant treats and recycles its own produced water and chemicals back into the subsurface formation. The chemical injection system uses resources already present in the geothermal operation, eliminating the need for external chemical supply chains and complex handling infrastructure. The system essentially cleans and maintains itself using its own operational byproducts.
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 enhances geothermal power plant performance by increasing energy output, reducing carbon footprint, and maintaining compliance with power purchase agreements by utilizing low-carbon hydrogen, which can be combusted or used in fuel cells to produce electricity, heat, and water, thereby addressing the decline in geothermal energy production.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing low-carbon hydrogen, which can be combusted or used in fuel cells to produce electricity, heat, and water
Implementation Method 2
utilizing low-carbon hydrogen, which can be combusted or used in fuel cells to produce electricity, heat, and water
Implementation Method 3
utilizing methods like steam methane reformation with carbon capture, electrolysis, and serpentinization reactions
Implementation Method 4
utilizing methods like steam methane reformation with carbon capture, electrolysis, and serpentinization reactions
Implementation Method 5
collecting additional hydrogen from the subsurface rock formation by injecting one or more of dihydrogen sulfide or carbon dioxide into the subsurface rock formation to react with components in the subsurface formation to form the additional hydrogen
Implementation Method 6
an energy source integrated into the natural or enhanced geothermal reservoir configured to convert heat to energy
Data Source
AI summary
An energy system includes a natural or enhanced geothermal reservoir having a subsurface rock formation and an energy source integrated into the natural or enhanced geothermal reservoir configured to convert heat to energy. The energy source can include at least one of: a hydrogen source included in the subsurface rock formation, a methane or other hydrocarbon gas source, and a dihydrogen sulfide source. The dihydrogen sulfide and the methane or other hydrocarbon gas source can be converted to hydrogen and an associated carbon dioxide or sulfur reaction product can also be sequestered by mineralization in the subsurface rock formation following the conversion.