Effects of Multiple Factors on Methane Hydrate Reformation in a Porous Medium

Abstract

AbstractThe effects of the remaining hydrate saturation (remaining Sh), reformation pressure and methane flow velocity on methane hydrate (MH) reformation in a porous medium were investigated. The results indicate that the presence of residual hydrate affects the hydrate reformation distribution. The remaining Sh has a more obvious effect on the hydrate reformation saturation than the pressure and methane flow velocity during the rapid reformation stage. However, in the stable reformation stage, the pressure has the largest effect on the hydrate reformation saturation. In addition, the increases in reformation Sh are related to the remaining Sh, and the remaining Sh has a negative effect on the Sh increment. A comparison of the hydrate reformation rates at various times suggests that both reformation pressure and remaining Sh affect the hydrate reformation rate. The remaining Sh has a more remarkable effect than the reformation pressure. In addition, the maximum hydrate reformation rate is related to the remaining Sh, and the maximum hydrate reformation rate will decrease when the level of remaining Sh increases.