Effect of Lithological Parameters on Combustion Characteristics of Methane Hydrate Sediments

Abstract

In this paper, four lithological parameters, that is, thermal conductivity, particle size, porosity, and saturation, are investigated by combining experimental observations with numerical simulations to study the influence laws and mechanisms of action on the combustion process of methane hydrate sediments. The variations in combustion characteristics parameters such as flame height, effective combustion ratio, and dimensionless discharge water mass with the lithological parameters are studied. In addition, the combustion mechanism of lithologic parameters on methane hydrate deposits is revealed. Combining the experimental results and simulation calculations to optimize the combustion of methane hydrate sediments, it is recommended to use methane hydrate sediment samples with high saturation and low thermal conductivity, while the oxidant concentration and porosity of methane hydrate sediment samples should be increased.

Dissociation of Gas Hydrates in the Combustion Environment

“…The authors of [15,16] consider the onedimensional non-stationary problem of the dissociation front propagation and phase transitions during the diffusion combustion of released methane. In [17,18], the hydrate layer is considered as a bundle of pipes through which the components of the combustible mixture flow. The numerical description of experimentally observed nonstationary features of surface behavior remains impossible (although it is not clear whether such details are required for plausible modelling).…”