Three studies and surveys to prepare the future
Control of graphite exports, ban on the use of lead, exploration of potential natural hydrogen deposits… this month’s selection of topics provides keys to understanding the changes affecting the world of industry.
3. Natural Hydrogen: Exploration on all fronts!
Tomorrow’s black gold is… white! There have been numerous reports of the potential for significant quantities of natural hydrogen (or white hydrogen) worldwide. As a clean and continuously renewable resource, it could make it possible to achieve carbon neutrality and energy sovereignty. The watch file “A look back at the HNAT conference on natural hydrogen” explores the current state of dihydrogen (H2) exploration projects, the prospects for use and the remaining hurdles.
The current exploration phase uses new techniques based on studying the propagation speed of seismic waves (university of Curtin, Australia) or the variation in magnetic signals (Intrepid Geophysics) which make it possible to reveal the potential sources of dihydrogen. By calculating the ratio between hydrogen and deuterium atoms (one of its isotopes), IPGP can assess the depth at which the natural dihydrogen can be found! Using sensors, analysis processes and software, new tools are being developed to detect dihydrogen emanations, a sign of underground production, such as the Xcalibur Multiphysics system, which can detect a few ppm of dihydrogen from an aircraft 50 m above the ground, at 212 km/h, with 10 m resolution. This file, available on our website, also looks at government actions, the issuing of operating licences in Europe and around the world, and the various players.