The Effect of DME on Phase Equilibria of Methane Hydrates

Abstract

>> Gas resources captured in the form of gas hydrates are an order of magnitude larger than the resources available from conventional resources. Focus of this research is to investigate the effect of DME on phase equilibria of methane hydrate, as well as the possibility of the use of the PRO/II computer simulation to estimate the phase equilibria. In systems containing water and a gaseous component like, for instance, methane, ethane , and propane, gas hydrates may occur, if conditions in terms of pressure and temperature are satisfied. Mixtures of gases, e.g. LPG or natural gas, are also able to form gas hydrates in the presence of water. The experiments presented here were performed at temperatures varying between 268.15K and 288.15K and at pressures varying between 1.88 MPa and 10.56 MPa. It was found that the phase equilibria of methane hydrate is influenced by the addition of DME to the system. The pressure for the equilibrium hydrate-liquid water-vapor (H -Lw -V) in the system water + methane is reduced upon addition of DME. The phase equilibria of methane hydrate can be estimated by the PRO/II computer simulation, whereas those of methane hydrate containing DME or LPG can't be estimated properly.