Use of Transformer Oil and “Dry Water” to Store and Transport Methane Hydrate

Abstract

In this paper a new system is proposed for the storage and transportation of gas in the hydrate form (for the case of methane hydrate). The use of solid particles (Aerosil ® R202) is most effective as promoters of hydrate formation for the intended purposes. The ratio of water to transformer oil in the initial systems was constant (1:1 by weight); the content of Aerosil® R202 in “dry water” was 5 wt. %. From the obtained results it follows that the presence of “dry water” in the system accelerates the formation of the hydrate, while the transformer oil provides a self-preservation effect and thereby slow decomposition of the hydrate phase. The proportion of methane hydrate subjected to self-preservation in the presence of transformer oil is 80 times higher than for the hydrate obtained from “dry water” without any additives. The obtained data can be used in the development of hydrate methods of gas storage and transportation.