Effect of nanoparticles on the nucleation and agglomeration rates of hydrate growth using THF-water clathrates

Four types of nanoparticles,amorphous carbon,ironⅢoxide,SiO2,and amino-coated SiO2,were tested to determine changes in tetrahydrofuran-water(THF-water)clathrate hydrate nucleation and agglomeration.Rates were experimentally found to determine their viability for preventing natural gas hydrates from developing during offshore drilling operations.THF-water clathrates were chosen as a model to represent gas hydrate growth at atmospheric pressure.Concentrations of each nanoparticle between 0.15%and 1.0%by weight were tested as a kinetic inhibitor to hydrate formation.Tests were repeated at various temperatures below the formation temperature of 4.4℃for THF-water clathrate hydrates.Measurements were made to identify how the concentration of THF affects the clathrate hydrates forming under static conditions between20%and 30%by mole of THF.The primary tests in this study were performed using a 20:80 THF/water ratio.Temperature increases during hydrate nucleation for THF-water were measured between-5 and 3℃.The range of ideal nanoparticle concentrations was found to be between 0.15%and 0.45%by weight for optimal static,kinetic inhibition of hydrate nucleation.At approximately 0.3%by weight,the most significant inhibition was observed under static conditions for all four types of nanoparticles tested.We found that functionalized amino-coated SiO2 nanoparticles,across all tests,significantly increased the time required for the formation of THF-water clathrate hydrates compared to the other three non-functionalized nanoparticles.The amorphous carbon and ironⅢoxide nanoparticles performed similarly across each test and were both the least effective in their inhibition of the clathrate hydrates of the four nanoparticles studied compared to a control.

Electrical Transport Properties of Type-Ⅷ Sn-Based Single-Crystalline Clathrates (Eu/Ba)8Ga16Sn30 Prepared by Ga Flux Method

Single-crystalline samples of Eu/Ba-filled Sn-based type-Ⅷ clathrate are prepared by the Ga flux method with different stoichiometric ratios. The electrical transport properties of the samples are optimized by Eu doping. Results indicate that Eu atoms tend to replace Ba atoms. With the increase of the Eu initial content, the carrier density increases and the carrier mobility decreases, which leads to an increase of the Seebeck coefficient. By contrast, the electrical conductivity decreases. Finally, the sample with Eu initial content of x = 0.75 behaves with excellent electrical properties, which shows a maximal power factor of 1.51 mW·m^-1K^-2 at 480K, and the highest ZT achieved is 0.87 near the temperature of 483K.

Synthesis and high temperature thermoelectric transport properties of Si-based type-Ⅰ clathrates

N-type Si-based type-Ⅰ clathrates with different Ga content were synthesized by combining the solid-state reaction method,melting method and spark plasma sintering （SPS） method.The effects of Ga composition on high temperature thermoelectric transport properties were investigated.The results show that at room temperature,the carrier concentration decreases, while the carrier mobility increases slightly with increasing Ga content.The Seebeck coefficient increases with increasing Ga content. Among all the samples,Ba7.93Ga17.13Si28.72exhibits higher Seebeck coefficient than the others and reaches -135μV·K^-1 at 1000 K.The sample prepared by this method exhibits very high electrical conductivity,and reaches 1.95x 10^5 S·m^-1 for Ba8.01Ga16.61Si28.93 at room temperature.The thermal conductivity of all samples is almost temperature independent in the temperature range of 300-1000 K,indicating the behaviour of a typical metal.The maximum ZT value of 0.75 is obtained at 1000 K for the compound Ba7.93Ga17.13Si28.72.

Sn-based type-VIII single-crystal clathrates with a large figure of merit

Single-crystal samples of type-VIII BasGa16-xCuxSn30 （x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.15） clathrates were prepared using the Sn-flux method. At room temperature the carrier density, n, is 3.5-5 × 10^19 cm^-3 for all the samples, the carrier mobility, μH, increases to more than twice that of BasGa16Sn30 for all the Cu doping samples, and consequently the electrical conductivity is enhanced distinctly from 1.90×10^4 S/m to 4.40 ×10^4 S/m, with the Cu composition increasing from x = 0 to x = 0.15. The Seebeck coefficient,α, decreases slightly with the increases in Cu composition. The values are about 0.72 W/mK at 300 K and are almost invariant with temperature up to 500 K for the samples with x = 0 and x = 0.03. The lattice thermal conductivity, μL, decreases from 0.59 W/InK for x = 0 to 0.50 W/mK for x = 0.03 at 300 K. The figure of merit for x = 0.03 reaches 1.35 at 540 K.

Theoretical Studies on the Thermo- electric Properties of Tin-based Clathrates:Cs_8M_4Sn_(42)(M=Zn,Cd,Hg) and Cs_8Sn_(44)□_2

The site occupancies and thermoelectric properties of tin-based clathrates Cs8M4Sn44□2 （M = Zn, Cd, Hg） and CssSn44□2 were studied by the first principle calculations. We had provided an efficient way to probe the relationship between the crystalline structure and power factor. Detailed analyses indicated the p states of Sn at 16i and 24k sites together with the p states of M substitute contributed significantly to the maximum power factor, yet Cs atoms nearly did not. The dangling bonds of vacancies in Cs8Snn44□2 are also discussed. The power factors of p- and n-type CssMaSn42 and Cs8Sn44□2 at optimal temperature and carder concentration are predicted. Our results suggest that Cs8ZnaSn44□2 is a promising candidate at the 5.25 ×10^19 cm-3 hole carrier concentration as a high temperature thermoelectric material that is competitive to the state-of-art Ge-based clathrate thermoelectric materials.

Thermoelectric properties of In-substituted Ge-based clathrates prepared by HPHT

Bulk materials Ba_(8)Ga_(16)In_(x)Ge_(30-x)(x=0.5,1.0,1.5)were prepared by High-Pressure and High-Temperature(HPHT)method and the crystal structure has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction and cell refinement.The actual In composition was much lower than the starting composition,and lattice constants increased with the increase of substitution.As the temperature increased,the Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity increased first and then decreased,while the thermal conductivity was the opposite,which leads to significant enhancement on thermoelectric properties of the clathrates.The substitution of indium elements decreased the seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity,and also changed the microstructure of the compounds.A minimum thermal conductivity of 0.84Wm^(-1)1K^(-1)was obtained,and a good ZT value of 0.52 was achieved.The grain boundaries and lattice defects generated by high pressure can effectively scatter phonons of different frequencies,which reduce the lattice thermal conductivity.

Germanium isotope effect induced guest rattling and cage distortion in clathrates

Intermetallic clathrates are materials characterized by a large cage structure where guest atoms can move anharmonically,providing these materials exotic thermoelectric properties.Unfortunately,the dynamical and atomic nature of the rattling phonons,and their interactions with the electronic structure,are not fully understood.Here,we report that a germanium isotope effect can trigger an inherent guest rattling and cage distortion in clathrate Ba8Ga16Ge30(BGG).Raman-scattering spectroscopy and advanced electron microscopy demonstrate that the atomic germanium isotope effect induces an offcentre rattling at the 6d sites as well as a tetrakaidecahedron deformation which is anisotropic for ntype BGG but isotropic for p-type BGG.The present findings indicate that the large n-type germanium isotope effect arises from the strong electron-phonon coupling,which opens up a novel avenue for manipulating dynamical motions of phonons via atomic isotope engineering.

Research progress on micro-force measurement of a hydrate particle system

It remains a great challenge to understand the hydrates involved in phenomena in practical oil and gas systems.The adhesion forces between hydrate particles,between hydrate particles and pipe walls,and between hydrate particles and reservoir particles are essential factors that control the behaviors of clathrate hydrates in different applications.In this review,we summarize the typical micro-force measurement apparatus and methods utilized to study hydrate particle systems.In addition,the adhesion test results,the related understandings,and the applied numerical calculation models are systematically discussed.

Enabling low-cost decentralized power reserves adopting carbon dioxide for green methane exchange in stabilized clathrate adsorbent

1.Challenges circular methane energy systems In recent decades,methane-based energy systems have rapidly gained traction across the globe because of the increasing availability of low-cost methane production capacity.However,fossil methane production and combustion lead to large greenhouse gas emissions,contributing to climate change[1].

热电材料的最新进展

简要介绍热电效应及利用热电效应实现温差发电和通电制冷的原理. 评估了热电材料的性能因子Z , 热电材料的研究发展过程及近几年的最新研究动向, 给出评价理想热电材料的必要条件及改善性能因子Z的可能途径, 并指出热电材料在绿色能源工程及制冷技术上的广阔应用前景.

Synthesis and Characterization of β-Cyclodextrin Modified Biochar Environmental Remediation Materials

In this paper, biochar (BC) was used as raw material, activated by deionizing aqueous solution, NaCl solution, CA solution and HCl solution respectively. Epichlorohydrin (EPI) was used as crosslinking agent, and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was used to modify biochar (BC). The prepared modified biochar materials were labeled with β-CDBC, β-CDBC-Na, β-CDBC-CA and β-CDBC-H, respectively. The infrared spectrum, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and specific surface area of the four modified materials were tested. The results showed that the C-O stretching vibration peak at 1020 cm−1 of the modified materials was slightly offset compared with that of biochar. The characteristic absorption peaks of XRD pattern decrease obviously at 2θ = 26.7˚ and 29.5˚. It can be obviously observed on the electron microscope image that the surface is loaded or formed clathrates, and BET data and graphs also show that the specific surface area of the modified biochar is larger. Therefore, β-cyclodextrin successfully modified biochar and formed clathrates on the surface of biochar or was loaded in the pore structure of biochar, especially β-CDBC-CA achieved better modification effect. Because biochar and β-cyclodextrin raw materials are cheap, easy to prepare and green, and less prone to secondary pollution, it has a good advantage in environmental governance.

Raman Spectroscopy of Nitrogen Clathrate Hydrates

Nitrogen hydrate samples were synthesized using liquid nitrogen and powder ice at 16 MPa and 253 K. Confocal laser Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the characteristics of nitrogen clathrate hydrates. The results show that the Raman peaks of N-N and O-H stretching vibration in nitrogen hydrates are observed at 2322.4 and 3092.1 cm^-1, respectively, which are very similar to those in natural air clathrate hydrates. For comparison, we measured the Raman peaks of N-N stretching vibration both in liquid nitrogen and nitrogen molecules saturated water, which appear at 2326.6 and 2325.0 cm^-1, respectively. The Raman spectroscopic observations on the dissociation process suggest that nitrogen molecules occupy both the large and small cages in nitrogen clathrate hydrates. However, only one Raman peak is observed for N N stretching vibration because the difference of the environment of nitrogen molecules between large and small cages is too small to be differentiated by Raman spectroscopy.

Formation of the structure-Ⅱgas hydrate from low-concentration propane mixed with methane

It has been recognized that a small amount of propane mixed with methane can change greatly in not only the thermodynamics but also the structural properties of gas hydrate.However,its mechanism is still not well understood yet.In this research,structure-Ⅱ(sⅡ)hydrate is synthesized using a methanepropane gas mixture with an initial mole ratio of 99:1,and it is found that large(5~(12)6~4)cages are cooccupied by multiple gases based on the rigid structure analysis of neutron diffraction data.The first principles calculation and molecular dynamics simulation are conducted to uncover the molecular mechanism for sⅡmethane-propane hydrate formation,revealing that the presence of propane inhibits the formation of structure-Ⅰ(sⅠ)hydrate but promotes sⅡhydrate formation.The results help to understand the accumulation mechanism of natural gas hydrate and benefit to optimize the condition for gas storage and transportation in hydrate form.

可视化技术在分析新型蓄冷材料——笼型化合物(Clathrate)溶解过程中的应用(二)

运用折射率匹配 (Refractive IndexMatching)技术 ,使混浊液内部自然对流的可视化图像速度测量成为可能。但由于来自微粒子的散乱光的影响 ,所得到的速度场出现了少量的误对应现象。为了解决这个问题 ,开发了新的可视化实验组合技术———折射率匹配与激光诱导荧光法 (LIF :Laser InducedFluorescence)组合 ,利用不同种类的粒子发光波长不同的特性 ,有效地去除了微粒子的散乱光 ,获得了清晰的示踪粒子的图像。笔者将简要介绍激光诱导荧光法的工作原理及其实验结果。

可视化技术在分析新型蓄冷材料——笼型化合物(Clathrate)溶解过程中的应用(一)

混浊液内部的流动 ,由于微粒子之间的相互作用以及因浊度高不易进行内部观察 ,所以无论是分析还是可视化实验都相当困难 ,存在着许多未弄清的问题。通过采用折射率匹配 (Refractive IndexMatching)技术 ,使透明的微粒子与透明的溶媒的折射率近乎相同 ,做成一种透明的“混浊液” ,从而使混入其中的示踪粒子的运动轨迹能被摄像机捕捉到 ,并以微粒子的沉降和温度的干涉所引起的流动现象为焦点 ,利用图像速度测量法来处理分析所拍摄到的可视化图像 ,成功地获得了定量的混浊液内部的速度场 ,为进一步揭示混浊液内部自然对流的流动机理提供了实验依据。

Sponge Effect on Coal Mine Methane Separation Based on Clathrate Hydrate Method

The findings were presented from laboratory investigations on the hydrate formation and dissociation processes employed to recover methane from coal mine gas.The separation process of coal mine methane(CMM) was carried out at 273.15K under 4.00 MPa.The key process variables of gas formation rate,gas volume stored in hydrate and separation concentration were closely investigated in twelve THF-SDS-sponge-gas systems to verify the sponge effect in these hydrate-based separation processes.The gas volume stored in hydrate is calculated based on the measured gas pressure.The CH4 mole fraction in hydrate phase is measured by gas chromatography to confirm the separation efficiency.Through close examination of the overall results,it was clearly verified that sponges with volumes of 40,60 and 80 cm 3 significantly increase gas hydrate formation rate and the gas volume stored in hydrate,and have little effect on the CH4 mole fraction in hydrate phase.The present study provides references for the application of the kinetic effect of porous sponge media in hydrate-based technology.This will contribute to CMM utilization and to benefit for local and global environment.

Experimental characterization of guest molecular occupancy in clathrate hydrate cages: A review

Study on the microscopic structure of clathrate hydrate has made significant progress in the past decades.This review aims to summarize the state of the art of the experimental characterization of guest molecular occupancy in clathrate hydrate cages,which is an important area of the microscopic structures.The characterizing method and features of different guest molecular,such as hydrocarbon,carbon dioxide,hydrogen and inhibitor/promoter,in different hydrate cages have been extensively reviewed.A comprehensive use of advanced technologies such as X-ray diffraction,Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance may provide better understanding on the compositions and microscopic mechanisms of clathrate hydrate.

Hydrate capture CO_2 from shifted synthesis gas, flue gas and sour natural gas or biogas

CO2 capture by hydrate formation is a novel gas separation technology, by which CO2 is selectively engaged in the cages of hydrate and is separated with other gases, based on the differences of phase equilibrium for CO2 and other gases. However. rigorous temperature and pressure, high energy cost and industrialized hydration separator dragged the development of the hydrate based CO2 capture. In this paper, the key problems in CO2 capture from the different sources such as shifted synthesis gas, flue gas and sour natural gas or biogas were analyzed. For shifted synthesis gas and flue gas, its high energy consumption is the barrier, and for the sour natural gas or biogas （CO2/CH4 system）, the bottleneck is how to enhance the selectivity of CO2 hydration. For these gases, scale-up is the main difficulty. Also, this paper explored the possibility of separating different gases by selective hydrate formation and reviewed the progress of CO2 separation from shifted synthesis gas, flue gas and sour natural gas or biogas.

Kinetic study of methane hydrate formation in the presence of carbon nanostructures

The effect of synthesized nanostructures,including graphene oxide,chemically reduced graphene oxide with sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS),chemically reduced graphene oxide with polyvinylpyrrolidone,and multi-walled carbon nanotubes,on the kinetics of methane hydrate formation was investigated in this work.The experiments were carried out at a pressure of 4.5 MPa and a temperature of 0 ℃ in a batch reactor.By adding nanostructures,the induction time decreases,and the shortest induction time appeares at certain concentrations of reduced graphene oxide with SDS and graphene oxide,that is,at a concentration of 360 ppm for reduced graphene oxide with SDS and 180 ppm for graphene oxide,with a 98% decrease in induction time compared to that in pure water.Moreover,utilization of carbon nanostructures increases the amount and the rate of methane consumed during the hydrate formation process.Utilization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with a concentration of 90 ppm showes the highest amount of methane consumption.The amount of methane consumption increases by 173% in comparison with that in pure water.The addition of carbon nanostructures does not change the storage capacity of methane hydrate in the hydrate formation process,while the percentage of water conversion to hydrate in the presence of carbon nanotubes increases considerably,the greatest value of which occurres at a 90 ppm concentration of carbon nanotubes,that is,a 253% increase in the presence of carbon nanotubes compared to that of pure water.

Intensification of methane and hydrogen storage inclathrate hydrate and future prospect

Gas hydrate is a new technology for energy gas（methane/hydrogen）storage due to its large capacity of gas storage and safe.But industrial application of hydrate storage process was hindered by someproblems.For methane,the main problems are low formation rateand storage capacity,which can be solved by strengthening mass andheat transfer,such as adding additives,stirring,bubbling,etc.Onekind of additives can change the equilibrium curve to reduce the formation pressure of methane hydrate,and the other kind of additivesis surfactant,which can form micelle with water and increase the interface of water-gas.Dry water has the similar effects on the methanehydrate as surfactant.Additionally,stirring,bubbling,and sprayingcan increase formation rate and storage capacity due to mass transferstrengthened.Inserting internal or external heat exchange also canimprove formation rate because of good heat transfer.For hydrogen,the main difficulties are very high pressure for hydrate formed.Tetrahydrofuran（THF）,tetrabutylammonium bromide（TBAB） andtetrabutylammonium fluoride（TBAF） have been proved to be able todecrease the hydrogen hydrate formation pressure significantly.