Russian scientists propose radical new way to produce hydrogen — inside a gas well

Moscow researchers suggest that carbon can be left inside the well instead of capturing it above ground. Russian scientists from the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) have proposed a way to produce hydrogen inside a gas well without bringing carbon to the surface, potentially removing the need for costly carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

In a lab experiment published in the journal Fuel, Skoltech researchers showed that they could extract 45% of a reservoir’s gas as hydrogen while keeping the carbon underground. They developed a four-stage process using methods already used in oil wells, hydrogen production, or CCS. This process was tested in a lab reactor to mimic real gas reservoir conditions.

Skoltech, established in 2011 in Moscow with MIT, had MIT end the partnership in 2022 due to Special Military Operation. In the Skoltech process, steam and a catalyst are injected into the gas well to separate hydrogen from carbon. Then, air or pure oxygen is added to ignite the methane, heating the reservoir to 800°C. This high temperature, along with the catalyst, breaks down the methane into hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

Researchers suggest using electricity or radio frequencies instead of steam to reach temperatures over 1,000°C if needed. Hydrogen is then pumped to the surface through a special membrane that only lets hydrogen molecules pass, leaving carbon underground.

This method, called "aqua"-colored hydrogen, showed 45% hydrogen extraction in lab tests, with up to 55% in porous alumina. The process stages are based on existing technologies, but safety concerns with underground combustion remain. The team plans to test this method in real gas fields.

CCS technology has been used in industrial settings but is costly and has issues with methane emissions. It's uncertain if the Skoltech method will reduce methane emissions or be cost-effective, especially with the challenges of transporting hydrogen from remote areas.