Investigating the Computational Fluid Dynamics of Temperature Impact on Underground Hydrogen Storage in Carbon Dioxide-Containing Salt Caverns

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Institute of Petroleum Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran

2 Institute of Petroleum Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran\Underground Hydrogen Storage Core, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The global warming has made mankind›s need for clean energy more vital. Hydrogen has been the focus of researchers as a clean fuel in recent decades, and recently, extensive studies are being conducted to find suitable solutions for maximizing the efficiency of this fuel. Moreover, salt caverns formed by the dissolution of salt domes are recognized as one of the most important geological structures for medium-term and secure hydrogen storage. The presence of various impurities poses challenges to the storage operations, with carbon dioxide being a potential impurity. In this study, the effect of temperature on various parameters including changes in salt cavern pressure, partial pressures of components, hydrogen quality, saturation, and hydrogen molar quantity was investigated using a computational fluid dynamics approach. Ultimately, the results indicated that the partial pressures of hydrogen and carbon dioxide decrease over time under any condition, while the partial pressure of methane increases, ultimately leading to a decrease in overall cavern pressure. Methane produced at the interface between hydrogen and carbon dioxide reduces the rate of hydrogen consumption reaction and produces impurities, acting like a cushion gas. Generally, caverns with higher temperatures result in up to a 16% decrease in hydrogen quality due to increased reaction rates and mixing levels, making caverns with lower temperatures more desirable.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Petroleum Research
Volume 35, 1404-1 - Serial Number 140
Special Issue on the Development of the Hydrogen TechnologyChain
May and June 2025
Pages 55-67

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