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Natural Hydrogen

Natural Hydrogen

2022
EMERGING TECH

Natural hydrogen is generated by natural geochemical processes inside the Earth’s crust

Water plays a key role in the natural hydrogen cycle.




  • The Earth is at the heart of iron oxide redox reactions between ferrous minerals and water percolating in the subsurface to generate H2 via serpentinization reactions.
  • Natural hydrogen leakages are estimated by extrapolation at several Mt/y (same order of magnitude as current annual hydrogen consumption ~70 Mt/y).
  • Hydrogen emissions from rocks containing ferrous minerals in an onshore bassin [1] (see above) or along medio-oceanic ridges [2] (see below).


The hydrogen system: generation, migration, accumulation and emissions from the surface



Long-term monitoring of natural H2 superficial emissions in Brazil




Monitoring allows a more precise evaluation of the quantity of H2 released at surface level by structures known as fairy circles.

Quantity is estimated at several hundred of kilos per day confirming the high H2 potential of the São Francisco basin [4]. Researchers are still working to understand this phenomenon [5].

Why produce natural hydrogen when there are already a multitude of ways to produce it?

Advantages

  • Continuous production: hydrogen could be produced continuously with large volumes permanently replenished.
  • Dedicated sensors have been developped to identify prospective areas (TRL 7-8). Existing geophysical data is often used to make the link with the subsurface (TRL 9).
  • Exploration & Production tools and technologies can be reused (TRL 9).
  • Low cost onshore and low carbon production.
  • Low footprint on the ground.


Challenges

  • Hydrogen generation and potential trapping needs to be better understood (TRL 3-4).
  • The hydrogen system still needs to be proven by drilling wells.
  • Rates and volumes may not be economical (TRL 3-4).





Challenges to overcome through

  • Research programs are necessary in order to better understand mechanisms and model each brick.
  • Need to participate in practical projects to demonstrate potential and get a global vision of accumulation mechanisms.




Bibliography

[1]  Zgonnik V., 2020. The occurrence and geoscience of natural hydrogen: A comprehensive review. Earth-Science Reviews, v. 203. 
[2]  Worman S. et al., 2020. Abiotic hydrogen (H2) sources and sinks near the Mid-Ocean Ridge (MOR) with implications for the subseafloor biosphere. PNAS, 117 (24) 13283-13293. 
[3]  Rights reserved
[4]  Moretti I. et al., 2021. Long-term monitoring of natural hydrogen superficial emissions in a brazilian cratonic environment. Sporadic large pulses versus daily periodic emissions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46 (5).
[5]  Rosanne M. et al., 2020. PARHyS System: a new approach to H2 concentration measurements in the subsurface. RST Lyon, Oct 2020.
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