Effects of porous materials on methane hydrate formation and dissociation were investigated in a quiescent system. Activated carbons (AC) and hollow silica (HS) were chosen to reflect different hydrophobicity and density of the materials. The methane hydrate formation experiments were carried out at 6 and 8 MPa and 4<b>°</b>C. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was also used to facilitate the hydrate formation. Without any porous materials nor THF, there was no methane hydrate formed after 48 hours. At both pressures and 4<b>°</b>C, the presence of AC induced the hydrate formation. However, the methane uptake was lower with 6 MPa. In addition, there was multiple hydrate formation regardless the pressure. With HS, the methane hydrate formation formed at a much higher rate than with AC. In addition, the methane uptake was higher with the presence of HS. That is likely due to the structure and the degree of hydrophobicity of HS that promote the interaction between the methane gas and water to form methane hydrate at a much faster rate. The combination of THF with either AC or HS significantly increased the methane hydrate formation and methane uptake. For methane dissociation, the presence of HS facilitated the methane dissociation at a greater extent. With the porous materials, it is now possible to increase the hydrate formation at a much greater rate.

Methane hydrate formation and dissociation: On the effects of different porous materials

2019 Spring National Meeting

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