Molecular-dynamics(MD)simulations have been performed for the growth of a spherical methane-hydrate nano-crystallite,surrounded by a supersaturated water–methane liquid phase,using both a hybrid and globalsystem ther...Molecular-dynamics(MD)simulations have been performed for the growth of a spherical methane-hydrate nano-crystallite,surrounded by a supersaturated water–methane liquid phase,using both a hybrid and globalsystem thermostatting approach.It was found that hybrid thermostatting led to more sluggish growth and the establishment of a radial temperature profile about the spherical hydrate crystallite,in which the growing crystal phase is at a higher temperature than the surrounding liquid phase in the interfacial region,owing to latent-heat dissipation.In addition,Onsager’s-hypothesis fluctuation–dissipation analysis of fluctuations in the number of crystal-state water molecules at the interface shows slower growth.展开更多
The large quantity of marine methane hydrates has driven substantial interest in methane-gas-fuel potential,especially with the qualified success of Shensu(2017)and Nankai-Trough(2014&17)production trials via depr...The large quantity of marine methane hydrates has driven substantial interest in methane-gas-fuel potential,especially with the qualified success of Shensu(2017)and Nankai-Trough(2014&17)production trials via depressurisation(blighted ultimately by sanding out),building on an earlier Malik-2008 trial for permafrost-bound hydrate.In particular,obviating deep-water-drilling approaches,such as the MeBO production rig(without such a drill bit),together with blowout preventers,constitutes a tantalising cost-saving measure.Tailored means of addressing sand production by customised gravel packs,wellbore screens and slotted liners with from-seafloor drilling will be expected to lead to future production-trial success.However,despite these exciting engineering advances and a few marinemimicking laboratory studies of methane-hydrate kinetics and stabilisation from microbial perspectives,relatively little is known about the thermogenic or microbial origin of marine hydrates,nor their possible formation kinetics or potential stabilisation by microbial sources as an exponent of Gaia's hypothesis,or within the context of“Gaia's breath”as regards global methane‘exhalations’.Here,for the first time,we elucidate the methylotrophic-microbial basis for kinetic enhancement and stabilisation of marine-hydrate formation in both deionised-and sea-water,identifying the key protein at play,which has some similarity to porins in other methylotrophic communities.In so doing,we suggest such phenomena in marine hydrates as evidence of Gaia's hypothesis.展开更多
基金the Irish Research Council for Government-of-Ireland postdoctoral fellowship, under grant no. GOIPD/2016/365
文摘Molecular-dynamics(MD)simulations have been performed for the growth of a spherical methane-hydrate nano-crystallite,surrounded by a supersaturated water–methane liquid phase,using both a hybrid and globalsystem thermostatting approach.It was found that hybrid thermostatting led to more sluggish growth and the establishment of a radial temperature profile about the spherical hydrate crystallite,in which the growing crystal phase is at a higher temperature than the surrounding liquid phase in the interfacial region,owing to latent-heat dissipation.In addition,Onsager’s-hypothesis fluctuation–dissipation analysis of fluctuations in the number of crystal-state water molecules at the interface shows slower growth.
基金NE,PKN and MRG thank Science Foundation Ireland for funding under grant SFI 15/ERC-I3142.MRG also thanks the Irish Research Council for a Government-of-Ireland postdoctoral fellowship(GOIPD/2016/365).
文摘The large quantity of marine methane hydrates has driven substantial interest in methane-gas-fuel potential,especially with the qualified success of Shensu(2017)and Nankai-Trough(2014&17)production trials via depressurisation(blighted ultimately by sanding out),building on an earlier Malik-2008 trial for permafrost-bound hydrate.In particular,obviating deep-water-drilling approaches,such as the MeBO production rig(without such a drill bit),together with blowout preventers,constitutes a tantalising cost-saving measure.Tailored means of addressing sand production by customised gravel packs,wellbore screens and slotted liners with from-seafloor drilling will be expected to lead to future production-trial success.However,despite these exciting engineering advances and a few marinemimicking laboratory studies of methane-hydrate kinetics and stabilisation from microbial perspectives,relatively little is known about the thermogenic or microbial origin of marine hydrates,nor their possible formation kinetics or potential stabilisation by microbial sources as an exponent of Gaia's hypothesis,or within the context of“Gaia's breath”as regards global methane‘exhalations’.Here,for the first time,we elucidate the methylotrophic-microbial basis for kinetic enhancement and stabilisation of marine-hydrate formation in both deionised-and sea-water,identifying the key protein at play,which has some similarity to porins in other methylotrophic communities.In so doing,we suggest such phenomena in marine hydrates as evidence of Gaia's hypothesis.
