Thermodynamic optimization for dissociation process of gas hydrates

• Thermodynamic optimization model of gas hydrate dissolution process is established.
• Entropy generation minimization is taken as the optimization objective.
• Optimal control strategies of the gas hydrate dissolution process are determined.
• Entropy generation rate related to the optimal heating rate decreases by 7.5%.

The dissociation process of gas hydrates is also the discharging process of the gas hydrate cool storage system. In order to reduce the entropy generation rate of the gas hydrate dissociation process, this paper takes the entropy generation minimization as the optimization objective to perform thermodynamic optimization for the related process. By establishing thermodynamic optimization model of the gas hydrate dissolution process based on entropy generation analysis, both the optimal control strategy and the optimal heating rate of the gas hydrate dissolution process are determined. The entropy generation rate related to the optimal heating rate decreases by 7.5% compared with normal situation. The research results can provide important guidelines for optimal design and operation of the dissolution process of gas hydrates related to the gas hydrate cool storage system.