Simulation of hydrogen generation via in-situ combustion gasification of heavy oil

With the increasing demand for clean hydrogen (H2) energy, new emerging technologies for in-situ H2 production from hydrocarbon reservoirs have attracted the attention of researchers and industry. This presents an opportunity for the petroleum industry to contribute to the energy transition. One technology in the field pilot stage is in-situ combustion gasification (ISCG). However, the mechanism behind this process is not fully understood and additional experimental and modeling work is required. To address this issue, we developed a laboratory-scale simulation model for ISCG. Statistical methods were combined to investigate the sensitivity and interactions of different parameters that control the process. The results showed that 34 mol.% H2 can be generated at 800 °C. Higher temperatures yielded higher H2 concentrations with coke gasification and water-gas shift reactions dominating hydrogen generation. This study provides valuable knowledge about the process and lays a foundation for future lab-scale ISCG experiments.