Features of the Decomposition of Gas Hydrates in the Presence of Methanol at Atmospheric Pressure

The study of the decomposition process of gas hydrates at atmospheric pressure and temperatures below 0 degrees C revealed that methanol could affect this process in different ways, depending on its saturation with environmental components. Indeed, due to the absorption of methane from the hydrate by methanol, the onset of its decomposition is observed at lower temperatures. Nevertheless, decomposition proceeds more slowly than with pure methane hydrate. When the methanol surrounding the methane hydrate is saturated with other medium components, the hydrate dissociation occurs at the equilibrium temperature (when intersecting the hydrate-ice-gas curve in a system without additives) regardless of the alcohol concentration. A similar situation is observed with hydrate obtained from a methane-propane gas mixture; however, under experimental conditions, ice begins to melt at a lower temperature compared to the dissociation point of methane-propane hydrate (in the case of methane hydrate, the situation is reversed: the hydrate is less stable). High concentrations of methanol (above 40 mass%) lead to a significant decrease in the temperature of hydrate decomposition. The data obtained show that methanol in low dosages (about 10 mass%) can be used for gas storage and transportation since, under certain conditions, it does not shift the equilibrium curve of hydrate formation and slows down the process of methane hydrate decomposition.

Automated summary

The study finds that methanol affects the decomposition process of gas hydrates at atmospheric pressure and below 0 degrees C in different ways depending on its saturation with environmental components. Methanol absorption of methane from the hydrate leads to decomposition at lower temperatures, but at a slower rate compared to pure methane hydrate. When methanol is saturated with other medium components, hydrate dissociation occurs at the equilibrium temperature regardless of alcohol concentration. High concentrations of methanol (above 40 mass%) significantly decrease the temperature of hydrate decomposition. The findings suggest that methanol in low dosages (about 10 mass%) can be used for gas storage and transportation without affecting the equilibrium curve of hydrate formation and slowing down the process of methane hydrate decomposition.