Methane Hydrate Formation on Clay Mineral Surfaces: Thermodynamic Stability and Heterogeneous Nucleation Mechanisms
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 hydrop...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Language: | unknown |
| Published: |
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1504846 https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1504846 https://doi.org/10.2172/1504846 |
| Summary: | 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. |
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