Visual observation of the methane hydrate formation and dissociation process

• Visual observations of gas hydrate formation and decomposition on a microscopic level were conducted.
• Gas hydrate dissociation seems to be accompanied by liquid wetting of the solid phase at all times.
• The deducted model includes consecutive process of local decomposition, liquid diffusion and, nucleation in the liquid bulk.

Studies regarding the microscopic processes taking place during the decomposition of methane hydrate under three phase conditions have been carried out using direct visual observations. Qualitative results regarding the formation and decomposition behavior of a dispersed hydrate phase are presented. Other author׳s previously published proposals regarding the location and manner of a vapor phase formation around the decomposing hydrates could not be confirmed in this work. Based on this work׳s observations it is proposed to model the process of gas hydrate dissociation as consecutive chain of solid dissolution, guest diffusion, and vapor phase formation and growth.

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