Enhanced Hydrogen Sequestration Through Hydrogen Foam Generation with Sds Co-Injection in Subsurface Formations

Abstract

In subsurface hydrogen injection, an inherent challenge is hydrogen's preference for larger pathways, limiting microscopic sweep efficiency. To address this, we explored the generation of hydrogen foam through co-injection of hydrogen and an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to enhance hydrogen trapping in porous reservoirs. SDS addition effectively reduces interfacial tension and improves viscoelasticity in H2-water systems. In contrast to hydrogen foam, our results reveal the formation of surfactant-aggregated channels in the interface layer of CO2 foam, enabling the ingress of specific CO2 molecules into the aqueous phase. This behavior is attributed to hydrogen bonding interactions between CO2 and water molecules, diminishing the surfactant's hydrophilicity and facilitating CO2 passage into the aqueous phase. Conversely, hydrogen foam maintains a uniform surfactant distribution, preventing hydrogen entry into the aqueous phase. Micro-model experiments and simulations provide insights into hydrogen foam generation and the mechanisms underlying enhanced trapping and reduced mobility due to bubble deformation and constricted pore flow resistance. The introduction of amphiphilic surfactant SDS significantly enhances hydrogen adsorption through its hydrophobic moiety, ultimately improving hydrogen storage in porous geological formations. Collectively, these findings contribute to strategies for advancing hydrogen storage efficiency in chemical engineering, with SDS co-injection, offering practical benefits for hydrogen storage and recovery applications.

Keywords: Hydrogen storage, H2 foam, CO2 foam, Reduced mobility.