Salt, a common ingredient, may play a major role in the energy transition to low-carbon energy sources. That’s according to new research led by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin’s Office of Economic Geology.
This study describes how large subsurface salt deposits act as hydrogen storage tanks, conduct heat to geothermal power plants, and affect CO2 storage. It also highlights how industries with existing salt expertise can help, such as solution mining, salt mining, and oil and gas exploration.
“We believe there is potential for applying the knowledge and data gained from decades of research, hydrocarbon exploration, and salt field mining to energy transition technologies,” said lead author and agency research science. author Oliver Duffy said. “Ultimately, a better understanding of salt behavior will help us optimize designs, reduce risk and improve the efficiency of various energy transition technologies.”
This study was published in the journal Tektonika.
Salt plays an influential role in shaping the earth’s subterranean layers. Easily crushed by geological forces into complex and massive sediments, some underground salt structures rise higher than Mount Everest. These structures and their surrounding geology offer many opportunities for energy development and emissions management, said research co-director of the agency’s Texas Advanced Resource Recovery (STARR) program. Author Lorena Moscardelli says:
“Collocation of surface infrastructure, renewable energy potential, favorable subsurface conditions and proximity to markets are key to planning subsurface hydrogen storage,” she said. “STARR is currently working on emerging energy opportunities in West Texas, including the potential for hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage in the region.”
The Salt Dome is a proven hydrogen container used in oil refineries and the petrochemical industry. According to the paper, these salt layers could also be used as pens to hold hydrogen for energy production. Additionally, the porous rock that surrounds them can be used as a permanent reservoir for CO2 emissions. The study describes the potential benefits of co-locating his CO2 storage with hydrogen production from natural gas, called “blue hydrogen”. While hydrogen is channeled into salt caves, the CO2 emissions generated by production can be kept out of the atmosphere by diverting it to the surrounding rocks for permanent storage.
The Texas Gulf Coast, with numerous salt domes surrounded by porous sedimentary rocks, is particularly well-suited for this type of combined production and storage, according to the researchers.
The study also touches on how salt can help with the adoption of next-generation geothermal technology. The industry is still in its infancy, but researchers are showing how salt’s ability to readily conduct heat away from warmer underlying rocks can be harnessed to generate geothermal power.
Director Scott Tinker said it’s important to explore multiple avenues thoroughly because salt has a role to play in the development of new energy resources. said to play an important role in
“Bureau researchers have been studying subterranean salt formation for decades. against the possibility of doing so,” he said. “That’s the wonder of good research. It continues to evolve, improve, and find new applications.”
Original: Salt may play a key role in energy transitions
Than: University of Texas at Austin
