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Samuel BARBIER

Optimization of hydrogen production in ultramafic reservoirs

Supervisors:
Muriel ANDREANI – Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard
Éric GAUCHER – Total, CSTJF, Pau

Major Results

I built up a database and used network analysis to identify conditions controlling H2 production during experimental serpentinization. Experimentally I showed that Ni2+ -enriched solution, and possibly natural solid catalysts, accelerates the reaction. I also explore the fate of H2 in C-bearing ultrabasic systems.

Abstract

The objective of my Ph.D. is to identify experimentally ways to optimize hydrogen production by serpentinization. My work is focused of two major axes:
1) A study of the available literature to build up an exhaustive database on the subject (1, 2). Then I used network analysis to unravel the main experimental parameters that controls the large variability of H2 concentrations in C-free and C-bearing systems during serpentinization experiments. It resulted that differences in protocols and the limited conditions tested so far precludes the identification of optimum conditions beyond temperature. The fate of H2 in C-bearing systems and the resulting C speciation also remain controversial while crucial for optimizing the production.

 

The role of fluid composition and of some natural catalysts on reaction kinetics seems promising.
2) Experimental investigation of the previous hypotheses using hydrothermal reactors (up to 300 °C-30 MPa) (3, 4, 5). After electrochemical tests at room T, hydrothermal experiments were run with peridotite +/- catalyst, in salted water +/- enriched in Ni2+ or carbon. Blank experiments (mineral-free) are run for a background reference. Gases, liquids, and solids are characterized for kinetic analysis and reaction path characterization, before comparison with thermodynamic modelling. Tomographic 3D imaging of rock structure after reaction (coll. UPPA) was also done on Ni-bearing ones to link chemical reaction and macroscopic rock properties.

Summary of the thesis workflow including H2 generation experiments and mineralogical observation of the products (serpentine, magnetite…)

A review of H2, CH4, and hydrocarbon formation in experimental serpentinization using network analysis.

A review of H2, CH4 and hydrocarbon formation in experimental serpentinization using network analysis.

Barbier, S., Huang, F., Andreani, M., Tao, R., Hao, J., Eleish, A., Prabhu, A., Minhas, O., Fontaine, K., Fox, P. & Daniel, I. (2020). A review of H2, CH4, and hydrocarbon formation in experimental serpentinization using network analysis. Frontiers in Earth Science.. Deep Carbon Science special issue. 16 June 2020.

keywords:  experimental serpentinization, hydrothermal, abiotic hydrogen, methane, data and network analysis

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00209

Dataset for H2, CH4 and organic compounds formation during experimental serpentinization

Dataset for H2, CH4 and organic compounds formation during experimental serpentinization

Huang, F., Barbier, S., Tao, R., Hao, J., Garcia del Real, P., Peuble, S., Merdith, A., Leichnig, V., Perrillat, J-P., Fontaine, K., Fox, P., Andreani, M. & Daniel, I. (2020). Dataset for H2, CH4 and organic compounds formation during experimental serpentinization. Geosci. Data J.. Special issue DCO. 3 September 2020;

keywords: abiotic hydrogen, abiotic methane, experimental serpentinization, hydrothermal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gdj3.105