Methods, systems, and apparatuses for in-situ production of compounds via subsurface geothermal chemical reactions

Abstract

Systems and methods for in situ production of ammonia and/or ammonium salt compounds using subsurface geochemistry are provided. In some embodiments, one or more reactants can be transported to a subsurface region of the earth for the purpose of forming ammonia and/or ammonium salts in-situ. The reactants can contact a rock bed of ultramafic rocks to react to form hydrogen gas (H2). The hydrogen gas can then be reacted with a nitrogen source to form ammonia that can be collected. In alternate embodiments, the nitrogen gas can be pumped into contact with the hydrogen gas released from the rock bed to form ammonium salt in the earth's crust, which can be excavated. In some other embodiments, a catalyst can be transported along with reactants, or a reaction can be facilitated by a catalyst in the rock bed, to form ammonia gas in situ without hydrogen gas formation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.