Abstract
Natural gas hydrates are cage-like crystalline compounds in which a large amount of methane is trapped within a crystal structure of water, forming solids at low temperature and high pressure. Natural gas hydrates are widely distributed in permafrost regions and offshore. It is estimated that the worldwide amounts of methane bound in gas hydrates are total twice the amount of carbon to be found in all known fossil fuels on earth. A proper understanding of the relevant exploitation technologies is then important for natural gas production applications. In this paper, the recent advances on the experimental simulation of natural gas hydrate exploitation using the major hydrate production technologies are summarized. In addition, the current situation of the industrial exploitation of natural gas hydrate is introduced, which are expected to be useful for establishing more safe and efficient gas production technologies.
Highlights
Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline compounds comprised of small guest molecules, such as methane or other light hydrocarbons, which are trapped in cages of a hydrogen-bonded water framework
By analyzing gas hydrate samples obtained from the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP), Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) as well as other marine survey programs, and the Bottom-Simulating Reflector (BSR) seismic data, it is found that gas hydrates are mainly distributed in the continental slope and continental rise areas of marginal seas, and its distribution is closely related to the specific marine geology characteristics
From the results of experimental simulation of the traditional methods, it is concluded that the depressurization is the most promising technique
Summary
Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline compounds comprised of small guest molecules, such as methane or other light hydrocarbons, which are trapped in cages of a hydrogen-bonded water framework. To realize the effective production of natural gas hydrates, it is important to establish a safe and efficient gas exploitation technology. Geochemical exploration is performed by analyzing actual core samples and serves as an important role in gas hydrate exploration when combined with geophysical exploration. To some extent, these technologies are expensive, complicated to implement and have many uncertainties. Despite the difficulties mentioned above, more and more studies have focused on how to exploit natural gas hydrates in recent years. The recent progresses in experimental simulation as well as the current situation of the industrial exploitation of natural gas hydrates are summarized, including our work relevant to this topic
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
