03-08-2012, 02:04 PM
Gas Hydrates
[attachment=30039]
Chemical Aspects of Gas Hydrates
Ice-like crystaline mineral
1 cubic meter of gas hydrate (90% site occupied) = 163 m3 of gas + .87 m3
Clathrates or Clathrate Hydrates
Three Structure Types: I, II, H
Structure type determines gas type
Scientist don’t fully understand the physics of gas hydrate formation
A Little Chemistry
Environmental Concerns
Formation of hydrates from gas vent flumes
Contribution to greenhouse effect?
The Future
USA has suggested in 2000 that $47.5 million be used to explore the option of gas hydrates over a five year period.
Japan has enormous offshore deposits and plans to have production on line by 2015 ($60 million on research)
India is also looking into converting its offshore deposits ($50 million on research)
Germany, France, and Australia also starting to fund research
Advantages of Hydrates as a Fuel
Denser source of hydrocarbons than conventional sources
Amount of conventional fossil fuels will decline in next century
Redirect/dispose of greenhouse methane away from the atmosphere
Cleaner fuel source than oil, coal, and oil shale
Abundant supplies in deep sea and permafrost
[attachment=30039]
Chemical Aspects of Gas Hydrates
Ice-like crystaline mineral
1 cubic meter of gas hydrate (90% site occupied) = 163 m3 of gas + .87 m3
Clathrates or Clathrate Hydrates
Three Structure Types: I, II, H
Structure type determines gas type
Scientist don’t fully understand the physics of gas hydrate formation
A Little Chemistry
Environmental Concerns
Formation of hydrates from gas vent flumes
Contribution to greenhouse effect?
The Future
USA has suggested in 2000 that $47.5 million be used to explore the option of gas hydrates over a five year period.
Japan has enormous offshore deposits and plans to have production on line by 2015 ($60 million on research)
India is also looking into converting its offshore deposits ($50 million on research)
Germany, France, and Australia also starting to fund research
Advantages of Hydrates as a Fuel
Denser source of hydrocarbons than conventional sources
Amount of conventional fossil fuels will decline in next century
Redirect/dispose of greenhouse methane away from the atmosphere
Cleaner fuel source than oil, coal, and oil shale
Abundant supplies in deep sea and permafrost