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Title: Dynamic in-situ imaging of methane hydrate formation and self-preservation in porous media

Journal Article · · Marine and Petroleum Geology
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3];  [2];  [2];  [4];  [4];  [1]
  1. Lund Univ. (Sweden)
  2. Inst. of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics, Novosibirsk (Russian Federation)
  3. Inst. of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics, Novosibirsk (Russian Federation); Novosibirsk State Univ. (Russian Federation)
  4. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)

Here we present the results of dynamic in-situ 3D X-ray imaging of methane hydrates microstructure during methane hydrate formation and dissociation in sand samples. Short scanning times and high resolution provided by synchrotron X-rays allowed for better understanding of water movement and different types of gas-hydrate formation. Complementing previous observations, we conclude that the process of gas-hydrate formation is accompanied by the water movements caused by cryogenic water suction that happens in sequences of short fast movements with longer equilibrium states in between (when the water is immobile). Based on the 3D microstructure we identified two distinct types of gas-hydrate formation: (i) into the gas pockets and (ii) inside water volumes. For both mechanisms we do not see problems in gas or water supply to support the gas-hydrate formation. The rate of dissociation in the self-preservation mode (pressure drop at negative temperatures) appears to be different for these two types of gas hydrates. This means that the history of the gas-hydrate formation may influence its behaviour at the dissociation stage (e.g. gas-hydrate production).

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); Swedish Research Council (SRC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357; 2017-00583
OSTI ID:
1669113
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1693762
Journal Information:
Marine and Petroleum Geology, Vol. 115; ISSN 0264-8172
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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