Underground Electrolyzer System for High-Pressure Hydrogen Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing hydrogen via electrolysis produce gases at atmospheric pressure, requiring additional energy and emissions for pressurization, and are expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The system involves placing an electrolyzer underground within a well, utilizing geothermal heat for enhanced efficiency, and using a proton exchange membrane to separate hydrogen and oxygen generation, with tubing strings to collect and pressurize the gases at the desired pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrolysis is conducted at atmospheric pressure, then hydrogen and oxygen can be produced, but additional energy and emissions are required for pressurization
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyzer is pre-positioned at underground depth where geothermal pressure naturally exists, so that hydrogen and oxygen are produced under pressure before extraction. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for subsequent pressurization operations, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and production pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The underground geothermal environment provides natural pressure and heat that serve the electrolysis process automatically. The system utilizes the earth's inherent thermal and pressure conditions to perform the pressurization function without external energy input, making the system self-sufficient for pressure requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electrolysis is conducted underground utilizing geothermal heat, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyzer is integrated directly into the underground well structure, merging the energy generation, gas production, and pressurization functions into a single unified system. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity despite the underground location, as the geothermal environment provides both heat and pressure simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The underground electrolyzer system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it generates electricity for electrolysis, heats the water for enhanced reaction efficiency, and provides natural pressure for gas production. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby managing complexity while maximizing energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogen is produced at high pressure underground, then pressurization energy is saved, but separation and collection become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyzer is divided into separate compartments for hydrogen production and oxygen production, with dedicated tubing strings for each gas type. This segmentation allows independent collection and transport of each gas at high pressure, making separation and collection operations straightforward despite the underground high-pressure environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Tubing strings serve as intermediary conduits that extend from the electrolyzer to the surface, maintaining high pressure throughout the gas transport path. These intermediaries facilitate easy gas collection and transfer without requiring pressure reduction or complex separation mechanisms at the surface.
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 method achieves efficient production of high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen, leveraging geothermal heat to reduce energy consumption and emissions, while also addressing the challenge of pressurization.
Implementation Method 1
electrolysis where an electrical current is used to break water into its constituent elements, namely oxygen and hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
using a proton exchange membrane to separate hydrogen and oxygen generation
Implementation Method 3
utilizing geothermal heat for enhanced efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for producing hydrogen wherein the system comprises at least one electrolyzer adapted to be located within a subterranean formation, at least one electrical supply cable having a length selected to extend from the at least one electrolyzer to a ground surface power supply, at least one supply tubing string having a length selected to extend from the at least one electrolyzer to a water supply at the ground surface and at least one collection tubing string having a length selected to extend from the at least one electrolyzer to a collection location at the ground surface. The method comprises providing a well from a surface to an underground formation, locating at least one electrolyzer in the well, supplying the at least one electrolyzer with supply electricity, supplying the at least one electrolyzer with supply water, producing hydrogen gas at the electrolyzer and collecting and transporting the produced hydrogen gas to the surface.