On the issue of creating a laboratory setup to study the gas hydrate dissociation processes

Abstract

This paper deals with the problems emerging during the research of gas hydrate production processes, in particular, their dissociation in natural conditions. The advantages and disadvantages of known research methods have been analysed based on domestic and world research-and-practice experience of the conditions for hydrate formation and dissociation. Engineering tasks set for the development of a laboratory setup for gas hydrates dissociation have been performed using the analysis of analytical, experimental studies presented in scientific papers, publications, research projects and patents. It has been determined that the «gas hydrate reservoir-massif» thermodynamic system is multicomponent and complex. Therefore, to transfer the research results from a model to full-scale object, it is necessary to use appropriate coefficients that take into account changes in the geometric parameters and physical properties of the modelled object. They are set on the basis of the principles of static, kinematic and dynamic similarities. It is convenient and economically feasible to conduct experimental research on analogue test models, as it makes possible to determine the high convergence of results. An algorithm is proposed for conducting research on gas hydrates decomposition, which includes the stages of constructing a model of gas hydrate deposit depending on its lithological composition. In perspective, it is planned, when performing a series of theoretical and experimental research, to study the influence of variable indicators of a gas hydrate deposit lithological composition (clayed silt, sand-silty clay, sand, methane hydrate) on methane gas output depending on the heat-transfer medium temperature.

Keywords

• gas hydrate
• experimental setup
• heat exchange
• model
• similarity coefficient