Existence of a memory effect between hydrates with different structures (I, II, and H)

•A memory effect between different structure hydrates was observed for the first time.•The memory effect was due to the residual structure in the decomposition water.•The induction time in the reformation of the same structure hydrate decreased.

This paper describes the formation of methane hydrate (structure I), propane hydrate (structure II), and methyl cyclohexane hydrate (structure H), using either fresh water or water collected after the decomposition of one of these hydrates. The results indicated that the induction time of hydrate formation using hydrate decomposition water was shorter than with fresh water. A memory effect between differently structured hydrates was observed for the first time and suggested to result from a residual structure in the decomposition water. This finding may be applicable to chemical engineering applications such as natural gas storage and transportation.

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