Heat Transfer during the Dissociation of Hydrate in Porous Media

Abstract

The decomposition of gas hydrate accompanied with phase transformation is an endothermic process demanding approximately 52-60kJ of latent heat per mole of methane in hydrate. Energy is a key factor that restricts the hydrate exploitation. Hence the heat transfer plays a very significant role in the decomposition of hydrate. This paper describes a simple analytical model in cylindrical coordinate for simulating gas production from homogeneous hydrates in porous media by the thermal stimulation method. The results from the analytical solution can predict the temperature distribution in the decomposed and undecomposed hydrate zone, the decomposing interface location at any time, and the rate of the decomposition. This simple model can be used to perform the feasibility of commercial gas production from hydrates reservoirs in the South China Sea region using the warm-seawater at surface. It is of great significance to guide the practical production.