Integrated experimental facility for characterisation of hydrogen flow in porous media during underground hydrogen storage

July 25th, 2023

R&D Focus Areas:
Underground storage

Lead Organisation:
The University of Adelaide

Partners:
University of New South Wales
University of Newcastle
Monash University
The University of Melbourne
The University of Queensland
Beach Energy
South Australian Department for Energy and Mining

Status:
Active

Start date:
July 2023

Completion date:
Ongoing

Key contacts:
Associate Professor Abbas ZeiniJahromi, abbas.zeinijahromi@adelaide.edu.au
Professor Pavel Bedrikovetski, pavel.bedrikovetski@adelaide.edu.au

Funding:
AUD$872,000– The University of Adelaide and partners
AUD$1,929,000– Australian Research Council

Project total cost:
AUD$2,801,000

Project summary description:
This project establishes a national facility for integrated research on hydrogen flow in geological formations. Understanding hydrogen flow dynamics and its interactions with other fluids and solids is critical for multiscale modelling, optimising governing parameters, and designing underground hydrogen storage (UHS) projects.

Accurate measurement of the geomechanical, geochemical, and transport properties of target geological formations and seal horizons is essential for understanding and modelling the reactive flow of hydrogen in the presence of brine and cushion-gas (hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide), and for predicting UHS capacity and performance.

This facility gives Australian researchers access to an experimental facility for characterisation of hydrogen flow in porous media. The facility – three components with complementary capabilities –enables researchers to simultaneously measure a range of static and dynamic geochemical and transport properties at elevated pressures and temperatures, using a unique hydrogen-compatible, high-sensitivity multifunctional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) coreflooding system integrated with a batch reactor and a high pressure drop shape analyser.

The facility will enable UHS focused projects such as:

  • Capillary hysteresis under multiple hydrogen injection and withdrawal cycles.
  • Analytical modelling for UHS including chemical reactions and fines migration.
  • Geomechanical behaviour of the reservoir and caprock.
  • Impact of dispersion on the produced hydrogen-cushion gas mixture composition
  • Multiscale modelling of hydrogen plume dynamics and movement under stress and chemical reactions.
  • Well injectivity decline during hydrogen injection.

Related publications and key links:
None at this stage.

Higher degree studies supported:
Six research groups with over 50 PhD students.

 

Reviewed: August 2024