Numerical Modelling of Biomethanation in UHS/UMR: The Role of Gas Solubility in Long-Term Dynamics

Krzysztof Miłek (), Wiesław Szott and Jerzy Stopa
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Krzysztof Miłek: Oil and Gas Institute—National Research Institute, 25 A Lubicz Str., 31-503 Cracow, Poland
Wiesław Szott: Oil and Gas Institute—National Research Institute, 25 A Lubicz Str., 31-503 Cracow, Poland
Jerzy Stopa: Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30 al. Adama Mickiewicza, 30-059 Cracow, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-24

Abstract: The European Green Deal aims for a gradual reduction in CO 2 emissions while simultaneously increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RES). A key challenge is balancing the variable production of green energy with the seasonal demand for the energy. One way to balance the supply of energy with the demand for it is to store its surpluses, e.g., through underground hydrogen storage (UHS). Another gas that requires storage (CCUS) is carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Under certain reservoir conditions, H 2 in contact with CO 2 in the presence of methanogenic Archaea may undergo biomethanation, a process that under abiotic conditions would normally require very high temperatures. This process may become an alternative method of utilizing surplus CO 2 production and converting H 2 into CH 4 , which is easier to store, transport, and integrate into existing gas systems. This study presents a numerical workflow for modelling the biomethanation phenomenon in the commercial Eclipse reservoir simulator. The methodology was validated through both quantitative and qualitative analyses of results from modelling the operation of an underground biomethanation reactor (UMR). Particular attention was given to the role of gas solubility (H 2 , CO 2 , CH 4 ) in long-term reservoir dynamics. The simulations assessed not only the total CH 4 production but also the fraction of injected H 2 converted into CH 4 , as well as the effects of varying compositions of injected gas. To the best of the authors‘ knowledge, this is the first study to explicitly link gas solubility with H 2 utilization efficiency in UMR simulations, providing new insights into long-term underground biomethanation.

Keywords: reservoir simulation; underground biomethanation; UMR; gas solubility; underground hydrogen storage; UHS; CO 2 sequestration; CCUS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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