Natural Gas Conversion Method into the Solid Hydrate Form Using Low Ambient Temperatures

Abstract

Abstract The article describes a method of natural gas hydrate synthesis in a closed type reactor with the possibility of using low ambient temperatures of the Russia’s cold regions. The advantages of the hydrate synthesis method in closed reactors and the possibility of their use on an industrial scale for the gas hydrate production are noted. Special closed-type reactors with different internal volumes were developed, as well as a thermal cycling technique to accelerate hydrate formation, and a concept of hydrate production technology using natural cold-air was proposed. New experimental data on the production of massive samples of natural gas hydrates with high gas saturation (130-150 cm3/g) from ice as feed in the constructed reactors are presented. A comparison of the proposed conceptual technology operations with the existing industrial technology of natural gas hydrate synthesis was made. It is shown that in closed-type reactors, from the large ice fractions during thermal cycling of the system, it is possible to synthesize natural gas hydrates in the form of massive pieces with high natural gas content (up to 90%).