It sounds like the solution to almost all energy problems: hydrogen, which the Earth provides us with virtually free of charge. In fact, evidence of such “geological” hydrogen (also called “white” or “golden” hydrogen) has been accumulating recently.
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Now another source has been added: a chrome mine in Albania. The occurrence has been known for a long time – and has already caused several, sometimes fatal, explosions. But now CNRS researchers have quantified the amount of hydrogen produced for the first time. They come to 200 tons per year. This is around a thousand times more than similar deposits and, according to the CNRS, the “highest recorded emission of natural hydrogen anywhere to date”. However, compared to the almost 100 million tons of hydrogen produced annually, this is still negligible.
Geological hydrogen can be created in different ways:
In the weathering of olivine minerals by hydrogen-rich liquids (“serpentinization”) In the splitting of water through radioactive decay processes. In the reduction of sulfur compounds in the deep sea. Through the decay of organic matter at high heat in deep sediment layers. Through the biological activity of microbes .
In Albania it is a serpentinization. It happens in so-called ophiolite formations – iron-rich layers of the former seabed that were pushed up by tectonic processes. Such formations exist all over the world. This raises hopes of finding further hydrogen deposits.
There is also a serpentinite body in Germany, namely in Leupoldsgrün in Upper Franconia. The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) puts the hydrogen content there at around two cubic meters per ton of rock.
Commercial use of hydrogen under certain conditions
In order for geological hydrogen to be used commercially, the deposit must be large enough. This means, among other things: There must be a cover layer under which the gas can accumulate; and there must be no microbes or chemical processes that break down the reactive gas faster than it forms. It is still unclear which sources come into question.
The question of the extent to which the hydrogen is newly formed is also unclear. This is unlikely to be the case at most sites. If they are exploited, they are exploited. But there are also sources, for example in Mali, in which the hydrogen is constantly being recreated.
“A significant contribution of geogenic hydrogen to a hydrogen economy can only be expected if it accumulates in a reservoir over many years,” says the BGR paper from 2020. “So far, however, no accumulations of hydrogen in the geological subsurface have been proven The magnitude can only come close to commercially used natural gas fields.”
“There could be even more significant deposits”
Does the discovery in Albania now lead to a reassessment of geological hydrogen? In any case, the CNRS researchers interpret it as an indication that it is probably much more widespread than previously assumed. The BGR shares this assessment. “According to BGR’s assessment, the article is based on solid scientific work and the specified amount of hydrogen (concentration and flow rate) is justified,” the federal agency said upon request. “Compared to the amount of natural gas produced in Germany, the flow rate corresponds to about one seventh of the volume per probe. The discovery opens up the possibility that there could be even more significant deposits underground. The find shows that significant amounts of hydrogen occur naturally. It will at least significantly strengthen research activities towards natural hydrogen.”
But you may not have to rely on natural resources at all. A project funded by the US Department of Energy with $20 million wants to help serpentinization, as the “New Scientist” reports. For this purpose, a 400 to 600 meter deep hole is to be drilled in Oman in order to first measure the natural hydrogen production and then stimulate it using various methods – for example by injecting water, using heat or using electricity, which – similar to fracking – will stimulate it To expand pores in the rock. The goal is to increase output by a factor of 10,000. The whole thing is not without controversy, for example because of the high water consumption or the risk of earthquakes. But one thing is foreseeable: In addition to the entire colorful hydrogen nomenclature from gray to turquoise, another color will appear, whether white or gold will prevail.
(grh)
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