Methane Hydrate Formation on Clay Mineral Surfaces: Thermodynamic Stability and Heterogeneous Nucleation Mechanisms
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Geochemistry Dept.
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Materials, Devices, and Energy Technologies
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Electronic, Optical, and Nano Materials Dept.
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Materials Characterization and Performance Dept.
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Materials Physics Dept.
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Geoscience Research and Applications Group
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Fundamental and Computational Sciences Directorate
Heterogeneous nucleation of methane hydrates has been examined using molecular simulation, experimental bulk synthesis, and scanning probe microscopy. Theoretical nucleation rates were determined using molecular dynamics simulations as a function of clay surface represented by hydrophobic and hydrophilic systems. Methane hydrates were synthesized with and without Na-montmorillonite in a bulk reactor pressure assembly. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirm the nucleation and growth of the synthesized hydrates. Various kinetic pathways were explored to produce methane or isobutene clathrates in an ultra-high vacuum apparatus at very low temperatures but scanning probe microscopy only indicates the formation of ice.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 1504846
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--2015-7949; 603657
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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