Diffusion Model of Methane Hydrate Formation in “Dry Water”

Abstract

The kinetics of methane hydrate formation in “dry water” is studied using a diffusion model (the well-known modified shrinking core model). An analytical solution is found and substantiated for equations describing the formation of methane hydrate for “dry water” in the quasi–steady state approximation. The particle size distribution of aqueous phase in “dry water,” stabilized by different silicas, is determined. The predominantly bimodal character of this distribution is established. The kinetic curves of the formation of methane hydrates in “dry water” stabilized by different silicas is obtained. The kinetic curves of the formation of methane hydrates in “dry water” are calculated using the proposed diffusion model to show the theoretical and experimental kinetic parameters of hydrate formation are in good agreement, confirming the adequacy of the developed model and the obtained solution.