Subsurface Hydrogen Generation via Oxidizable Metal Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for methods to generate and store large quantities of hydrogen that can respond to variabilities in demand, while also addressing the challenges of CO2 sequestration and economic motivation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves injecting oxidizable metal particles into a subsurface formation where they react with an aqueous solution to produce hydrogen and metal oxides or hydroxides. Additionally, carbon dioxide can react with the aqueous solution to form carbonic acid, which then reacts with the metal particles to produce additional hydrogen and metal carbonates, sequestering the CO2 as it mineralizes within the subsurface formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large amounts of compressed hydrogen gas are stored to replace or supplement fossil fuel and green energy sources, then hydrogen energy supply capacity is improved, but storage space requirements and infrastructure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions hydrogen storage from surface-level compressed gas tanks to subsurface geological formations, utilizing the third dimension (depth) for storage. This moves the storage system from above-ground infrastructure to underground reservoirs, thereby reducing surface space requirements and infrastructure complexity while maintaining or increasing storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the hydrogen storage function from conventional above-ground facilities and relocates it to subsurface geological formations. This separation allows the storage system to operate independently from surface infrastructure, simplifying the overall system while enabling large-scale storage.
2Quantity of substance
If pure CO2 is injected into subsurface reservoirs for sequestration, then CO2 storage capacity is improved, but trapping mechanism reliability and long-term containment uncertainty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state of CO2 from pure gas phase to dissolved carbonate minerals through chemical reactions. By transforming CO2 into solid mineral forms (calcite, dolomite, anhydrite), the system eliminates the need for buoyant trap mechanisms and achieves more reliable, permanent sequestration that is not dependent on caprock integrity or trap stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of CO2 leakage and trapping mechanism failure into a benefit by chemically transforming CO2 into stable mineral carbonates. This process turns the problematic buoyant gas that requires complex trapping into a beneficial solid mineral product that provides permanent, verifiable sequestration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 sequestration is implemented without additional economic benefits, then CO2 emission reduction is improved, but economic motivation and adoption rate worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the CO2 sequestration system multi-functional by simultaneously producing hydrogen as a valuable energy carrier while sequestering CO2. This dual functionality creates economic value from both processes, transforming CO2 from a waste product requiring costly disposal into a reactant that generates both energy (hydrogen) and permanent storage, thereby providing strong economic motivation for adoption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the economically burdensome CO2 sequestration process into a beneficial hydrogen production process. By using CO2 as a reactant in the water-gas shift reaction, the system transforms a cost center (sequestration) into a profit center (hydrogen production), creating positive economic returns that drive adoption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating hydrogen in a subsurface formation, the method comprising injecting oxidizable metal particles into a subsurface formation comprising subsurface water and a geologic trap, wherein the subsurface water has a temperature of from 18° C. to 400° C. and a pressure of from 500 psi to 10,000 psi, the geologic trap comprises one or both of a structural trap or a stratigraphic trap, the geologic trap substantially prevents vertical migration of the subsurface water out of the subsurface formation, and the oxidizable metal particles react with the subsurface water to form hydrogen, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, or combinations thereof.