Methane and Carbon Dioxide Hydrate Formation and Dissociation in Presence of a Pure Quartz Porous Framework Impregnated with CuSn12 Metallic Powder: An Experimental Report

Abstract

Hydrate formation and dissociation processes were carried out in the presence of a pure quartz porous medium impregnated with a metallic powder made with a CuSn12 alloy. Experiments were firstly made in the absence of that powder; then, different concentrations were added to the porous medium: 4.23 wt.%, 18.01 wt.%, and 30.66 wt.%. Then, the hydrate dissociation values were compared with those present in the literature. The porous medium was found to act as an inhibitor in the presence of carbon dioxide, while it did not alter methane hydrate, whose formation proceeded similarly to the ideal trend. The addition of CuSn12 promoted the process significantly. In particular, in concentrations of up to 18.01 wt.%, CO2 hydrate formed at milder conditions until it moved below the ideal equilibrium curve. For methane, the addition of 30.66 wt.% of powder significantly reduced the pressure required to form hydrate, but in every case, dissociation values remained below the ideal equilibrium curve.