Hydrogen, Methane, Brine Flow Behavior, and Saturation in Sandstone Cores During H 2 and CH 4 Injection and Displacement

Lirong Zhong (), Seunghwan Baek, Mond Guo, Christopher Bagwell and Nicolas Huerta
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Lirong Zhong: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Energy and Environment Directorate, Richland, WA 99354, USA
Seunghwan Baek: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Energy and Environment Directorate, Richland, WA 99354, USA
Mond Guo: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Energy and Environment Directorate, Richland, WA 99354, USA
Christopher Bagwell: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Energy and Environment Directorate, Richland, WA 99354, USA
Nicolas Huerta: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Energy and Environment Directorate, Richland, WA 99354, USA

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: Large-scale underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is a critical component in the emerging hydrogen economy. Knowledge of multiphase flow behavior involving hydrogen in storage reservoir formations is crucial to characterizing hydrogen transport properties and essential for the deliverability and storage operations of UHS. There are still many gaps in fully understanding hydrogen–methane–brine multiphase phase flow that require further investigation. In this work, H 2 and CH 4 were injected through brine-saturated sandstone cores using a tri-axial core holder system fitted with flow rate meters and pressure transducers, while the effluent gas concentrations were analyzed using an online micro gas chromatograph. Brine displacement, permeability, and gas breakthrough curves were measured. We studied the flow behavior of hydrogen and methane in sandstone cores through testing brine displacement by gas injection and comparing the hydrogen displacement of methane with the methane displacement of hydrogen. We also tested the differences between horizontal and vertical flow in brine displacement. The results showed that brine displacement was more efficient in a core with higher permeability and porosity, resulting in a higher initial gas saturation. A higher gas injection rate brought about faster gas breakthrough measured by pore volume and sharper concentration curves. Hydrogen did not exhibit abnormal flow in the sandstone when the flow was horizontal and downward vertical. Gas overriding was observed in brine displacements when the flow was horizontal, with hydrogen showing this behavior more profoundly compared to methane. Downward vertical gas injection induced higher efficiency brine displacement compared to horizontal displacement and resulted in a higher initial gas saturation in the sandstone cores. These findings address critical knowledge gaps regarding gas flow patterns and displacement behaviors during hydrogen injection and recovery phases in UHS facilities using methane as the cushion gas. The insights from this research offer valuable guidance for optimizing UHS systems, ensuring operational efficiency, and advancing sustainable energy solutions in alignment with decarbonization goals.

Keywords: underground hydrogen storage; brine displacement; hydrogen and methane displacement; gravity overriding (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: 2024
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