Title: Rapid gas hydrate formation process

Abstract

The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for forming gas hydrates from a two-phase mixture of water and a hydrate forming gas. The two-phase mixture is created in a mixing zone which may be wholly included within the body of a spray nozzle. The two-phase mixture is subsequently sprayed into a reaction zone, where the reaction zone is under pressure and temperature conditions suitable for formation of the gas hydrate. The reaction zone pressure is less than the mixing zone pressure so that expansion of the hydrate-forming gas in the mixture provides a degree of cooling by the Joule-Thompson effect and provides more intimate mixing between the water and the hydrate-forming gas. The result of the process is the formation of gas hydrates continuously and with a greatly reduced induction time. An apparatus for conduct of the method is further provided.

Inventors:

Brown, Thomas D.; Taylor, Charles E.; Unione, Alfred J.

Issue Date:

2013-01-15

Research Org.:

DOESC (USDOE Office of Science (SC) (United States))

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1082747

Patent Number(s):

8354565

Application Number:

12/814,660

Assignee:

U.S. Department of Energy (Washington, DC)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

C - CHEMISTRY C07 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY C07C - ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

B01J19/26 - Nozzle-type reactors, i.e. the distribution of the initial reactants within the reactor is effected by their introduction or injection through nozzles
B01J4/002 - {Nozzle-type elements

C - CHEMISTRY C07 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY C07C - ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS

C07C7/20 - Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation
C07C9/04 - Methane

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10L - FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

C10L3/108 - {Production of gas hydrates}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F17 - STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS F17C - VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES

F17C11/007 - {for hydrocarbon gases, such as methane or natural gas, propane, butane or mixtures thereof [LPG]}

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Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY