Hydrogen Production Approaches
Element One’s exploration strategy focuses on two distinct methods within the geologic hydrogen sector:
1. Stimulated Hydrogen Production (Water Injection into Ultramafic Rocks):
- This method involves injecting water into ultramafic rocks, which are rich in iron and magnesium. When water interacts with these rocks under specific temperature and pressure conditions, a chemical reaction known as serpentinization occurs, producing hydrogen gas as a byproduct.
- Stimulated production is an active process designed to artificially enhance hydrogen generation by accelerating natural geologic reactions. This approach is more controlled and can be deployed in areas with suitable rock formations but limited natural hydrogen accumulations.
Partnerships and Research Initiatives:
- Element One is collaborating with Cornell University, New England Research, and other leading institutions to advance the science and technology behind stimulated hydrogen production.
- This research is being funded through grants from the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy) program, which focuses on innovative energy technologies with high transformative potential.
- These partnerships aim to refine water injection techniques, improve hydrogen recovery rates, and evaluate the long-term viability of stimulated hydrogen as a scalable clean energy solution.
Advantages
Rapid and continuing technology development that enables long term Hydrogen production in North America with clear environmental advantages.
2. Searching for Natural Hydrogen Accumulations (Subsurface Exploration):
- This method involves identifying and tapping into naturally occurring accumulations of hydrogen trapped in the subsurface, similar to how oil and gas deposits are located. Hydrogen can accumulate in structural traps, fractures, and porous formations over geological timescales.
- Exploration relies on geological surveys, geophysical data, and drilling to detect and assess these reservoirs. This method is a passive process, capitalizing on nature’s ability to generate and store hydrogen without direct intervention.
Current Understanding of Natural Hydrogen Sources:
Hydrogen accumulations are thought to arise from a variety of geologic processes, including:
- Deeply Buried Ultramafic Rocks: Hydrogen forms through the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks buried deep in the Earth’s crust. Over time, this hydrogen migrates upwards, accumulating in porous formations or structural traps.
- Radiogenic Sources: Radioactive decay of elements like uranium and thorium within basement rocks can lead to hydrogen generation through water-rock interactions facilitated by radiolysis.
- Mantle Degassing: Hydrogen is released directly from the Earth’s mantle through tectonic and volcanic processes, contributing to subsurface hydrogen reservoirs.
- Thermally Overmatured Organic Sources: Hydrogen can also originate from deeply buried organic-rich sediments that have undergone thermal maturation beyond typical hydrocarbon generation stages, producing hydrogen as a secondary byproduct.
Advantages
- Potential for large-scale
- Low-cost hydrogen reserves; minimal active management post-discovery.
- Capitalizes on natural geological processes, reducing operational complexity.
Challenges
- Exploration risk
- Variable concentrations,
- Need for advanced detection technologies to accurately locate accumulations.
Strategic Focus
Element One prioritizes natural hydrogen exploration while remaining open to leveraging stimulated production techniques in regions where geological conditions are favorable.