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Improvement of hydrogen production during in-situ combustion of hydrocarbons using CaO nanoparticles: Enabling subsurface decarbonization and desulfurization

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  • Cherif, Ali
  • Duncan, Ian J.

Abstract

Cost-effective and large-scale production of hydrogen can be enabled through in-situ combustion (ISC) of hydrocarbons in depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Hydrocarbons are utilized both as a heat source and feedstock for hydrogen-generating reactions. Achieving high and consistent hydrogen yields is highly desirable for commercial production. The CO2 build-up, as hydrogen is generated and preferentially extracted, will gradually lower hydrogen production rates unless the CO2 partial pressure is reduced as the reactions proceed. This study explores the potential for reducing CO2 in the gas phase via in-situ sorption (ISS) by injecting CaO nanoparticles. The results of our thermodynamic analysis (based on the minimization of Gibbs Free Energy) show that at temperatures between 400 and 600 °C (the likely range of temperatures generated during ISC), hydrogen yields can be increased by 49 % compared to ISS-free case at 1 MPa and more than three times at 20 MPa. ISS with CaO will significantly decrease CO2 and H2S concentrations.

Suggested Citation

  • Cherif, Ali & Duncan, Ian J., 2025. "Improvement of hydrogen production during in-situ combustion of hydrocarbons using CaO nanoparticles: Enabling subsurface decarbonization and desulfurization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:316:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225002087
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134566
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