ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Hydrogen densification in shale micropores: Perspectives on H2 storage potential in the Marcellus Shale

Abstract: The on-going energy transition away from fossil fuels necessitates the development of alternative energy sources. This includes hydrogen (H2) as a potential fuel as it does not emit carbon when burned. Storage of H2 near power generation infrastructure has been proposed in geologic formations including salt caverns and depleted petroleum reservoirs; however significant knowledge gaps exist with regards to the potential storage capacity of reservoirs and the efficacy of geologic seals to contain injected H2. One specific uncertainty in this area is the ability for H2 to be densified (i.e., internal pressure exceeds external pressure) in small (<4 nm) geologic pores that are common in shale formations. We propose to address this knowledge gap by using the NIMROD to examine H2 accommodation and densification in pores within two mineralogically similar samples from producing intervals of the Marcellus Shale. Our proposed experiment will (i) quantify the native porosity present in the samples, (ii) evaluate the accommodation of hydrogen (using D2) in the samples as a function of pore size, and (iii) determine if D2 is densified within sample pores by monitoring the intermolecular scattering peak from condensed D2. Expected results will inform the state of knowledge on H2 storage in the Marcellus Shale, currently one of the most productive unconventional petroleum plays in the United States, as well as densification of H2 in shale formations generally.

Principal Investigator: Dr Aaron Jubb
Experimenter: Dr Martha Stokes
Experimenter: Dr Bonnie McDevitt
Experimenter: Dr Tristan Youngs
Experimenter: Dr Paul Hackley
Experimenter: Ms Leslie Ruppert
Experimenter: Dr Matthew Jones
Local Contact: Dr Tom Headen
Experimenter: Dr Justin Birdwell
Experimenter: Dr Bonnie McDevitt

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2510243

ISIS Experiment Number: RB2510243

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Aaron Jubb et al; (2026): Hydrogen densification in shale micropores: Perspectives on H2 storage potential in the Marcellus Shale, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2510243

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.