As the global push for sustainable energy intensifies, hydrogen’s role as a clean energy carrier is gaining prominence. Hydrogen is unique because it produces only water vapor when it burns or reacts in a fuel cell, with no greenhouse gases or pollutants emitted.
By 2021, global hydrogen production had reached around 95 million metric tons. The majority of this, 47%, comes from natural gas, followed by coal (27%), oil (22%), and electrolysis (4%). Natural gas stands out as a cleaner alternative to coal, despite still emitting carbon dioxide when burned. Countries like Egypt are now implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects to mitigate emissions from the steam methane reforming (SMR) process, which converts natural gas into hydrogen.
The cost of hydrogen production is a significant factor. According to the US Department of Energy, SMR with CCS can produce hydrogen at a cost between $1.43/kg and $2.27/kg, depending on the natural gas price. This is significantly less expensive than electrolysis, which can cost between $5/kg and $6/kg using nuclear or wind power.
Skoltech researchers in Moscow have made a groundbreaking discovery in the quest for more sustainable hydrogen production. They have developed a technology that converts methane into hydrogen within gas reservoirs, using steam methane reforming initiated by in-situ gas combustion, without releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The process involves injecting steam and a catalyst into a well, followed by air or oxygen to ignite the gas directly in the reservoir. The natural gas burns, converting into a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, with the carbon dioxide produced remaining trapped underground. Hydrogen is then extracted through a membrane, leaving other combustion products behind.
Elena Mukhina, a senior research scientist at Skoltech and leader of the project, stated, “Our approach can help convert hydrocarbons into ‘green’ fuels in the field environment with an efficiency of up to 45%.” The team has tested this process in lab reactors simulating real gas reservoir conditions, achieving promising results.
This innovative technology, supported by a Russian Science Foundation grant and published on January 15, 2024, offers a promising path toward cleaner and more sustainable hydrogen production from natural gas. As the research moves toward real-world application, it could play a significant role in shaping a greener energy future.
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