Microbial reactions at gas-liquid and solid-liquid interfaces in underground hydrogen storage
Gloire Imani1, Lei Zhang1, Eike Marie Thaysen2
1Key Laboratory of Unconventional Oil & Gas Development (China University of Petroleum (East China)), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266580, PR China; School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, Shandong 266580, China.
Abstract:
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in porous formations is a promising technology for large-scale energy systems, but microbial activity poses potential risks to hydrogen purity, injectivity and recovery. This review examines the interfacial processes that govern microbial behavior in UHS, focusing on interactions at gas-liquid and solid-liquid interfaces where hydrogenotrophic metabolism, biofilm formation, and colloidal adhesion occur. Microbial colonization at rock-water interfaces alters key physicochemical properties, including wettability, interfacial tension, and capillarity, which in turn affect hydrogen retention and multiphase flow dynamics. We synthesize current knowledge on microbial attachment mechanisms to rock, mass transfer limitations for hydrogen consumption, and biofilm-induced pore modifications. Special emphasis is given to the impact of microbial activity on interfacial phenomena, such as bubble disconnection, wettability shifts, and surface fouling, which are relevant to hydrogen loss and system performance. This review aims to bridge that gap by providing an interdisciplinary synthesis of microbial interfacial dynamics relevant to UHS.
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