2023 RTP round - Hydrogeochemical and Microbial Behaviour of H2 Gas in Salt Caverns: Towards Enhancement of H2 Geo-storage

Status: Closed

Applications open: 8/07/2022
Applications close: 18/08/2022

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

"Freshwater is injected into the underground salt deposits (for example salt dome or salt layer) through drilled wellbore in order to dissolve the salt. Later, the brine is pumped out of the wellbore to form a cavity in the subsurface to store gas. However, subsurface formations including the salt layer are not sterile and have diverse microbial life including sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) and other corrosive microorganisms. Thus, it is equally pivotal to examine the effect of the SRB and other corrosive microorganisms on stored H2 in the salt cavern which has been rarely reported at the laboratory scale to date. 

This work is proposed to evaluate the thermophysical and hydrogeochemical behaviour of H2 and their influence on H2 storage security in salt caverns. Additionally, the influence of SRB and other corrosive microorganisms in the presence of H2 in geological salt under anaerobic conditions will be investigated.  A bioreactor will be constructed which replicates the salt cavern cavity and environment. Loss of H2 and H2S generation and in the bioreactor will be measured using Mass Spectrometry Gas Chromatographic analysis. Determination of pH before and after the test will be conducted meanwhile growth of the microorganism will be monitored. Additionally, XRD analysis of salt crystalline before and after microbial reactions will be evaluated to locate lattice strain, microstrain, and dislocation density. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of salt crystalline to identify metabolic products released due to microbial effect. To assess the self-healing (recrystallization) behaviour of the salt layer, the effect of acids (for example acetate) will be examined on mineralogy and salt crystals morphology. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and field emission electron microscope (FESEM) will be used to investigate fragile salt crystalline structure hence examining salt crystal morphology and microbiologically deposition.

The cushion gas requirement of the salt cavern is low due to low storage volume when compared to porous-based media such as depleted gas fields and saline aquifers. The salt cavern is effective for short-term energy capacity. However, increasing the volume of cushion gas can significantly influence the energy storage capacity of the media. Additionally, it has been found that H2 has low solubility in water when compared to the solubility of CH4 and CO2. Moreover, higher diffusivity was examined for H2 compared to the diffusivity of CO2 in CH4 at variable pressure and ambient temperature conditions. The diffusivity decreases with pressure and increases with temperature. Due to its high diffusive and low solubility, H2 can leak from the ’Filling’ of salt cavern and influence storage security in the bedded salt system. Additionally, the presence of microorganisms in the filling and sump may consume H2 and sulphate-based minerals and produce H2S and other toxic by-products. The microbial influence can degrade mineralogy, which can affect the self-healing behaviour of salt and energy storage capacity. Therefore, it requires adequate microbial laboratory investigation, characterization, and mitigations for wide scale industrial application of underground H2 storage."

An Internship opportunity may also be available with this project.

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses
  • Engineering courses
  • Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

 

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships, valued at approx. $28,800 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3.5 years, are determined via a competitive selection process. Applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2022. 

 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

The successful candidate must meet the minimum academic entry requirement for admission into the Doctor of Philosophy program https://research.curtin.edu.au/postgraduate/ including the English proficiency levels set by Curtin University.
 

Candidates should have:

1. Master's and bachelor's (First Class Honours) degree in biology, chemical, petroleum engineering, and other applicable disciplines. The candidate must have a minimum of 25% research component in their master's degree.

2.    Students with specific skills and experience in the following are encouraged to apply:
        *demonstrated industry-based work experience in the field relevant to the research
        *Programming (coding), analyses of large experimental data sets, and image processing, are desirable.
        *Research and technical publications.
        *Independent work, self-motivation, good team spirit, and excellent communication skills.

Internships may be available.

Application process

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2023

Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Dr Mohammad Sarmadivaleh via the EOI form above.

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