Abstract
An experiment with well defined gas-water interfacial surface area was developed to study the crystallization and crystal growth of methane hydrates. Measurable formation rates were observed only when melting ice was involved. No hydrates nucleated from liquid water or from non-melting ice. It is concluded that melting ice, which like hydrate water is hydrogen-bonded, provides a template for hydrate nucleation as well as providing a heat sink for absorbing the heat of formation during hydrate growth. The experiment was conducted in the absence of mixing so that hydrate crystals grew under quiescent conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Y. F. Makogon:Hydrates of Natural Gas, W. J. Cielewicz Translation, PennWell Publishing, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1981.
J. L. Cox (ed.):Natural Gas Hydrates: Properties, Occurrence and Recovery, Butterworth Publisher, Boston, Massachusetts, 1983.
D. W. Davidson:Clathrate Hydrates (Water: A Comprehensive Treatise Vol. 2, ed. F. Franks), Chapter 3, Plenum, New York, 1973.
J. Finjord:Hydrates of Natural Gas, A State-of-the Art Study with Emphasis on Fundamental Properties, T. 11/83, Rogaland Research Institute, Stavanger, Norway, 1983.
G. D. Holder, S. P. Zetts, and N. Pradhan:Rev. Chem. Eng. 5, 1 (1988).
R. M. Barrer and D. J. Ruzicka:Trans. Faraday Soc. 58, 2262 (1962).
A. Vysniauskas and P. R. Bishnoi:Chem. Eng. Sci. 38, 1061 (1983).
A. Vysniauskas and P. R. Bishnoi:Chem. Eng. Sci. 40, 299 (1985).
B. B. Maini and P. R. Bishnoi:Chem. Eng. Sci. 36, 183 (1981).
R. M. Barrer and A. V. J. Edge:Proc. Royal Soc. London A300, 1 (1967).
B. J. Falabella:A Study of Natural Gas Hydrates, Ph.D. Diss., Univ. of Massachusetts, 1975.
D. A. Wright:A Kinetic Study of Methane Hydrate Formation from Ice, M.S. Thesis, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 1985.
V. A. Kamath and G. D. Holder:AIChE Journal 33, 347 (1987).
V. T. John and G. D. Holder:AIChE Journal 31, 252 (1985).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Dedicated to Dr D. W. Davidson in honor of his great contributions to the sciences of inclusion phenomena.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hwang, M.J., Wright, D.A., Kapur, A. et al. An experimental study of crystallization and crystal growth of methane hydrates from melting ice. J Incl Phenom Macrocycl Chem 8, 103–116 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01131291
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01131291