Analytical study of bioclogging effects in underground hydrogen storage

Abstract

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in porous formations is emerging as a promising solution to global decarbonization. While much knowledge from geologic carbon sequestration is transferable, a critical technical challenge unique to UHS is the active interaction between hydrogen and microbes. In this study, we develop an analytical framework to quantify the bioclogging effect in saline aquifers at the reservoir scale. Our objective is to understand how bioclogging will impact UHS operations and explore potential mitigation strategies. To achieve this, we extend the Buckley–Leverett solution to construct the solution, which is computationally efficient by preserving the analytical nature. Our findings reveal that near-well permeability impairment could be up to twice as severe as previously estimated, emphasizing the advantages of deeper formations with higher temperatures, where microbial activity is reduced. Furthermore, we observed an increase in hydrogen recovery and a progressive advancement of the gas plume front position across storage cycles. These insights not only contribute to designing operational conditions but also suggest effective mitigation strategies for maximizing hydrogen storage efficiency.