Three-dimensional pore-scale study of methane hydrate dissociation mechanisms based on micro-CT images

Junyu Yang; Qianghui Xu; Xuan Kou; Geng Wang; Timan Lei; Yi Wang; Xiaosen Li; Kai H. Luo

doi:10.59717/j.xinn-energy.2024.100015

The Innovation Energy > 2024 Vol. 1 > No. 1 > 100015

Next Article Previous Article

ARTICLE Open Access

Cite PDF

Three-dimensional pore-scale study of methane hydrate dissociation mechanisms based on micro-CT images

1.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK
2.
School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
3.
Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
4.
Center for Combustion Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

More Information

Corresponding authors: xuqh12@bit.edu.cn (Q.X.); k.luo@ucl.ac.uk (K.L.)
Received Date: January 27, 2024

Accepted Date: February 19, 2024

Published Online: February 23, 2024

The Innovation Energy 1(1), https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-energy.2024.100015 | Cite this article

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

DownLoad: Full size image

PUBLIC SUMMARY

PUBLIC SUMMARY
1. Methane hydrate dissociation mechanisms within actual sediment pore structure are revealed.
  
  The hydrate pore habits influence the dissociation mechanisms and upscaling models.
  
  A pore-scale numerical framework for methane hydrate dissociation is established.
  
  A good agreement between pore-scale experiments and numerical simulations is achieved.
  
  Upscaling parameters for the methane hydrate production forecast are provided.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Methane hydrate is a promising source of alternative energy. An in-depth understanding of the hydrate dissociation mechanism is crucial for the efficient extraction. In the present work, a comprehensive set of pore-scale numerical studies of hydrate dissociation mechanisms is presented. Pore-scale lattice Boltzmann (LB) models are proposed to simulate the multiphysics process during methane hydrate dissociation. The numerical simulations employ the actual hydrate sediment pore structure obtained by the micro-CT imaging. Experimental results of xenon hydrate dissociation are compared with the numerical simulations, indicating that the observed hydrate pore habits evolution is accurately captured by the proposed LB models. Furthermore, simulations of methane hydrate dissociation under different sediment water saturations, fluid flow rates and thermal conditions are conducted. Heat and mass transfer limitations both have significant effects on the methane hydrate dissociation rate. The bubble movement can further influence the dissociation process. Dissociation patterns can be divided into three categories, uniform, non-uniform and wormholing. The fluid flow impacts hydrate dissociation rates differently in three-dimensional real structures compared to two-dimensional idealized ones, influenced by variations in hydrate pore habits and flow properties. Finally, upscaling investigations are conducted to provide the permeability and kinetic models for the representative elementary volume (REV)-scale production forecast. Due to the difference in the hydrate pore habits and dissociation mechanisms, the three-dimensional upscaling results contrast with prior findings from two-dimensional studies. The present work provides a paradigm for pore-scale numerical simulation studies on the hydrate dissociation, which can offer theoretical guidance on efficient hydrate extraction.

FullText(HTML)

REFERENCES

[1]	Chen, J.M. (2021). Carbon neutrality: Toward a sustainable future. The Innovation 2: 100127. DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2021.100127. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[2]	Wang, F., Harindintwali, J.D., Yuan, Z., et al. (2021). Technologies and perspectives for achieving carbon neutrality. The Innovation 2: 100180. DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2021.100180. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[3]	Wang, F., Harindintwali, J.D., Wei, K., et al. (2023). Climate change: Strategies for mitigation and adaptation. The Innovation Geoscience 1: 100015. DOI: 10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2023.100015. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[4]	Sloan, E.D. (2003). Fundamental principles and applications of natural gas hydrates. Nature 426: 353−359. DOI: 10.1038/nature02135. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[5]	Sloan, E.D. (1998). Gas Hydrates: Review of Physical/Chemical Properties. Energy & Fuels 12: 191−196. DOI: 10.1021/ef970164+. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[6]	Klauda, J.B., and Sandler, S.I. (2005). Global Distribution of Methane Hydrate in Ocean Sediment. Energy & Fuels 19: 459−470. DOI: 10.1021/ef049798o. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[7]	Wei, J., Fang, Y., Lu, H., et al. (2018). Distribution and characteristics of natural gas hydrates in the Shenhu Sea Area, South China Sea. Mar. Pet. Geol. 98: 622−628. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2018.07.028. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[8]	Feng, J.-C., Yan, J., Wang, Y., et al. (2022). Methane mitigation: Learning from the natural marine environment. The Innovation 3: 100297. DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2022.100297. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[9]	Feng, J.-C., Tang, L., Xie, Y., et al. (2023). Offshore carbon sequestration: Renewable energy and multi-carbon transformations prompt greener future. The Innovation Geoscience 1: 100016. DOI: 10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2023.100016. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[10]	Kan, J., Sun, Y., Dong, B., et al. (2021). Numerical simulation of gas production from permafrost hydrate deposits enhanced with CO2/N2 injection. Energy 221: 119919. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.119919. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[11]	Lee, S.Y., and Holder, G.D. (2001). Methane hydrates potential as a future energy source. Fuel Process. Techn. 71:181-186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3820(01)00145-X. View in Article Google Scholar
[12]	Song, Y., Yang, L., Zhao, J., et al. (2014). The status of natural gas hydrate research in China: A review. Renew. Sustain. Energy. Rev. 31: 778−791. DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.12.025. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[13]	Anderson, B.J., Kurihara, M., White, M.D., et al. (2011). Regional long-term production modeling from a single well test, Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well, Alaska North Slope. Mar. Pet. Geol. 28: 493−501. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2010.01.015. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[14]	Egorov, A.V., Nigmatulin, R.I., and Rozhkov, A.N. (2016). Heat and mass transfer effects during displacement of deepwater methane hydrate to the surface of Lake Baikal. Geo-mar. Lett. 36: 215−222. DOI: 10.1007/s00367-016-0443-9. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[15]	Liu, L., Shao, H., Fu, S., et al. (2016). Theoretical simulation of the evolution of methane hydrates in the case of Northern South China Sea since the last glacial maximum. Environ. Earth. Sci. 75. DOI: 10.1007/s12665-015-5125-9. View in Article Google Scholar
[16]	Chen, L., Feng, Y., Kogawa, T., et al. (2018). Construction and simulation of reservoir scale layered model for production and utilization of methane hydrate: The case of Nankai Trough Japan. Energy 143: 128−140. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.10.108. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[17]	Pang, W.X., Xu, W.Y., Sun, C.Y., et al. (2009). Methane hydrate dissociation experiment in a middle-sized quiescent reactor using thermal method. Fuel 88: 497−503. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2008.11.002. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[18]	Ji, C., Ahmadi, G., and Smith, D.H. (2001). Natural gas production from hydrate decomposition by depressurization. Chem. Eng. Sci. 56:5801-5814. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(01)00265-2. View in Article Google Scholar
[19]	Yuan, Q., Sun, C., Yang, X., et al. (2011). Gas Production from Methane-Hydrate-Bearing Sands by Ethylene Glycol Injection Using a Three-Dimensional Reactor. Energy & Fuels 25: 3108−3115. DOI: 10.1021/ef200510e. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[20]	Chong, Z.R., Yang, S.H.B., Babu, P., et al. (2016). Review of natural gas hydrates as an energy resource: Prospects and challenges. Appl. Energy 162: 1633−1652. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.12.061. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[21]	Yang, J., Dai, X., Xu, Q., et al. (2021). Pore-scale study of multicomponent multiphase heat and mass transfer mechanism during methane hydrate dissociation process. Chem. Eng. J. 423: 130206. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.130206. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[22]	Yin, Z., Chong, Z.R., Tan, H.K., et al. (2016). Review of gas hydrate dissociation kinetic models for energy recovery. J. Nat. Gas Eng. 35: 1362−1387. DOI: 10.1016/j.jngse.2016.04.050. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[23]	Moridis, G.J., Silpngarmlert, S., Reagan, M.T., et al. (2011). Gas production from a cold, stratigraphically-bounded gas hydrate deposit at the Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well, Alaska North Slope: Implications of uncertainties. Mar. Petrol. Geol. 28: 517−534. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2010.01.005. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[24]	Yu, M., Li, W., Jiang, L., et al. (2018). Numerical study of gas production from methane hydrate deposits by depressurization at 274 K. Appl. Energy 227: 28−37. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.10.013. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[25]	Yin, Z., Moridis, G., Chong, Z.R., et al. (2018). Numerical analysis of experimental studies of methane hydrate dissociation induced by depressurization in a sandy porous medium. Appl. Energy 230: 444−459. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.08.115. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[26]	Lei, L., Seol, Y., and Jarvis, K. (2018). Pore-Scale Visualization of Methane Hydrate-Bearing Sediments With Micro-CT. Geophys. Res. Lett. 45: 5417−5426. DOI: 10.1029/2018gl078507. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[27]	He, G., Luo, X., Zhang, H., et al. (2018). Pore-scale identification of multi-phase spatial distribution of hydrate bearing sediment. J. Geophys. Eng. 15: 2310−2317. DOI: 10.1088/1742-2140/aaba10. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[28]	Zhang, J., Zhang, N., Sun, X., et al. (2023). Pore-scale investigation on methane hydrate formation and plugging under gas–water flow conditions in a micromodel. Fuel 333. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.126312. View in Article Google Scholar
[29]	Muraoka, M., Yamamoto, Y., and Tenma, N. (2020). Simultaneous measurement of water permeability and methane hydrate pore habit using a two-dimensional glass micromodel. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 77: 103279. DOI: 10.1016/j.jngse.2020.103279. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[30]	Chen, Y., Sun, B., Chen, L., et al. (2019). Simulation and Observation of Hydrate Phase Transition in Porous Medium via Microfluidic Application. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 58: 5071−5079. DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b00168. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[31]	Almenningen, S., Iden, E., Fernø, M.A., et al. (2018). Salinity Effects on Pore-Scale Methane Gas Hydrate Dissociation. J. Geophy. Res. Solid Earth 123(7): 5599−5608. DOI: 10.1029/2017jb015345. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[32]	Zhao, Z., and Zhou, X.P. (2020). Pore-scale effect on the hydrate variation and flow behaviors in microstructures using X-ray CT imaging. J. Hydrol. 584: 124678. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.124678. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[33]	Kou, X., Feng, J.-C., Li, X.-S., et al. (2022). Visualization of interactions between depressurization-induced hydrate decomposition and heat/mass transfer. Energy 239. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.122230. View in Article Google Scholar
[34]	Kou, X., Feng, J.-C., Li, X.-S., et al. (2022). Memory effect of gas hydrate: Influencing factors of hydrate reformation and dissociation behaviors. Appl. Energy 306. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118015. View in Article Google Scholar
[35]	Lei, L., Seol, Y., Choi, J.-H., et al. (2019). Pore habit of methane hydrate and its evolution in sediment matrix – Laboratory visualization with phase-contrast micro-CT. Marine Petrol. Geology 104: 451−467. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.04.004. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[36]	Chen, X., Verma, R., Espinoza, D.N., et al. (2018). Pore-Scale Determination of Gas Relative Permeability in Hydrate-Bearing Sediments Using X-Ray Computed Micro-Tomography and Lattice Boltzmann Method. Water Resour. Res. 54(1): 600−608. DOI: 10.1002/2017wr021851. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[37]	Yang, L., Falenty, A., Chaouachi, M., et al. (2016). Synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography study on gas hydrate decomposition in a sedimentary matrix. Geochem. Geophy. Geosys. 17: 3717−3732. DOI: 10.1002/2016gc006521. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[38]	Jarrar, Z.A., Alshibli, K.A., Al-Raoush, R.I., et al. (2020). 3D measurements of hydrate surface area during hydrate dissociation in porous media using dynamic 3D imaging. Fuel 265. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116978. View in Article Google Scholar
[39]	Kou, X., Li, X.-S., Wang, Y., et al. (2022). Hydrate decomposition front within porous media under thermal stimulation and depressurization conditions: Macroscale to microscale. Int. J. Heat Mass Trans. 188. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2022.122653. View in Article Google Scholar
[40]	Zhang, L., Zhang, C., Zhang, K., et al. (2019). Pore‐Scale Investigation of Methane Hydrate Dissociation Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method. Water Resour. Res. 55: 8422−8444. DOI: 10.1029/2019wr025195. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[41]	Wang, X., Dong, B., Chen, C., et al. (2019). Pore-scale investigation on the influences of mass-transfer-limitation on methane hydrate dissociation using depressurization. Int. J. Heat Mass Trans. 144: 118656. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2019.118656. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[42]	Wang, X., Dong, B., Wang, F., et al. (2019). Pore-scale investigations on the effects of ice formation/melting on methane hydrate dissociation using depressurization. Int. J. Heat Mass Trans. 131: 737−749. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2018.10.143. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[43]	Yang, J., Xu, Q., Liu, Z., et al. (2022). Pore-scale study of the multiphase methane hydrate dissociation dynamics and mechanisms in the sediment. Chem. Eng. J. 430: 132786. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.132786. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[44]	Katagiri, J., Konno, Y., Yoneda, J., et al. (2017). Pore-scale modeling of flow in particle packs containing grain-coating and pore-filling hydrates: Verification of a Kozeny–Carman-based permeability reduction model. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 45: 537−551. DOI: 10.1016/j.jngse.2017.06.019. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[45]	Singh, H., Mahabadi, N., Myshakin, E.M., et al. (2019). A Mechanistic Model for Relative Permeability of Gas and Water Flow in Hydrate‐Bearing Porous Media With Capillarity. Water Resour. Res. 55(4): 3414−3432. DOI: 10.1029/2018wr024278. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar
[46]	Hou, J., Ji, Y., Zhou, K., et al. (2018). Effect of hydrate on permeability in porous media: Pore-scale micro-simulation. Int. J. Heat Mass Trans. 126: 416−424. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2018.05.156. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[47]	Wang, J., Zhang, L., Ge, K., et al. (2020). Characterizing anisotropy changes in the permeability of hydrate sediment. Energy 205: 117997. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.117997. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[48]	Zhang, L., Ge, K., Wang, J., et al. (2020). Pore-scale investigation of permeability evolution during hydrate formation using a pore network model based on X-ray CT. Marine Petrol. Geology 113: 104157. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.104157. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[49]	Li, P., Zhang, X., and Lu, X. (2019). Three-dimensional Eulerian modeling of gas–liquid–solid flow with gas hydrate dissociation in a vertical pipe. Chem. Eng. Sci. 196: 145−165. DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2018.10.053. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[50]	Feng, Y., Chen, L., Suzuki, A., et al. (2019). Numerical analysis of gas production from layered methane hydrate reservoirs by depressurization. Energy 166: 1106−1119. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.10.184. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[51]	Ren, X., Guo, Z., Ning, F., et al. (2020). Permeability of hydrate-bearing sediments. Earth Sci. Rev. 202: 103100. DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103100. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[52]	Wu, D., Li, S., Guo, Y., et al. (2023). A novel model of reaction specific surface area via depressurization and thermal stimulation integrating hydrate pore morphology evolution in porous media. Chem. Eng. J. 452. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.139097. View in Article Google Scholar
[53]	Yu, P.-Y., Sean, W.-Y., Yeh, R.-Y., et al. (2017). Direct numerical simulation of methane hydrate dissociation in pore-scale flow by using CFD method. Int. J. Heat Mass Trans. 113: 176−183. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2017.05.053. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[54]	Yang, J., Xu, Q., Liu, Z., et al. (2023). Upscaling methane hydrate dissociation kinetic model during depressurisation. Chem. Eng. Sci. 275. DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2023.118742. View in Article Google Scholar
[55]	Latt, J., Malaspinas, O., Kontaxakis, D., et al. (2021). Palabos: Parallel Lattice Boltzmann Solver. Comput. Math. Appl. 81: 334−350. DOI: 10.1016/j.camwa.2020.03.022. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[56]	Li, Q., Luo, K.H., Kang, Q.J., et al. (2016). Lattice Boltzmann methods for multiphase flow and phase-change heat transfer. Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 52: 62−105. DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2015.10.001. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus
[57]	Chen, L., He, A., Zhao, J., et al. (2022). Pore-scale modeling of complex transport phenomena in porous media. Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 88. DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2021.100968. View in Article Google Scholar
[58]	Chen, X., Espinoza, D.N., Luo, J.S., et al. (2020). Pore-scale evidence of ion exclusion during methane hydrate growth and evolution of hydrate pore-habit in sandy sediments. Marine Petrol. Geology 117: 104340. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104340. View in Article CrossRef Google Scholar Scopus

Cited by

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Cite this article:

Yang J., Xu Q., Kou X., et al., (2024). Three-dimensional pore-scale study of methane hydrate dissociation mechanisms based on micro-CT images. The Innovation Energy 1(1): 100015. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-energy.2024.100015

Yang J., Xu Q., Kou X., et al., (2024). Three-dimensional pore-scale study of methane hydrate dissociation mechanisms based on micro-CT images. The Innovation Energy 1(1): 100015. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-energy.2024.100015

Welcome!

To request copyright permission to republish or share portions of our works, please visit Copyright Clearance Center's (CCC) Marketplace website at marketplace.copyright.com.

Standard PDF

Extended PDF

Figures(5)

Article Metrics

Article views(7987) PDF downloads(3807)

Three-dimensional pore-scale study of methane hydrate dissociation mechanisms based on micro-CT images

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

PUBLIC SUMMARY

ABSTRACT

REFERENCES

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Cite this article:

Welcome!

Share

Article Metrics

Relative Articles

Cited by

Catalog

{{newsColumn.name}}

Official Account

{{newsColumn.name}}

Stay connected

{{newsColumn.name}}

Three-dimensional pore-scale study of methane hydrate dissociation mechanisms based on micro-CT images

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

PUBLIC SUMMARY

ABSTRACT

REFERENCES

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Cite this article:

Welcome!

Share

Article Metrics

Relative Articles

Cited by

Catalog

Export File

Citation

Format

Content

{{newsColumn.name}}

Official Account

{{newsColumn.name}}

Stay connected

{{newsColumn.name}}