Roles of Activated Carbon and Tetrahydrofuran on Methane Hydrate Phase Equilibrium

Abstract

This work studied the effects of activated carbon and tetrathydrofuran (5.56 mol % THF) on methane hydrate phase equilibrium and hydrate dissociation. The hydrate formation was carried out in the quiescent condition and close system at 4 °C. After completion of hydrate formation, the hydrate dissociation was observed by thermal stimulation. The pressure was adjusted to the desired experimental pressure, and then the temperature was increased. When the temperature and pressure in the system crosses the phase boundary, methane gas will release. The results showed that the presence of activated carbon in the system had no effect on hydrate phase boundary, while 5.56 mol % THF affected the thermodynamic methane hydrate phase boundary. Moreover, it indicated that the rate of released gas depended on the experimental pressure, and the methane recovery was in the ranges of 70.0 - 94.9 % in all experiments.