The study of clathrate hydrates of methane (natural gas) has been historically carried out and developed by geologists and geochemists on the side of natural deposits, and by chemical engineers as pertains to the problems of flow assurance into pipelines. Moreover, gas hydrates are being increasingly considered as convenient media for gas storage and transportation as the knowledge of their properties progresses, in particular as relates to methane and hydrogen. Finally, clathrate hydrates may represent an ideal sequestration technology for carbon dioxide, due to a well defined P/T range of stability, and several research programs are addressing the feasibility thereof. Though the understanding of the molecular structure and supramolecular interactions which are responsible of most properties of hydrates have been elucitated in recent years, the underlying theoretical physico-chemical framework is still poor, especially as relates to the role of "conditioners" (inhibitors and promoters) from the molecular/supramolecular point of view. In the present communication we show some results from our research approach which is mainly focused on the supramolecular properties of clathrate hydrate systems - and their conditioners - as a way to get access to a controlled modulation of the formation, dissociation and stabilization of gas hydrates. In particular, this communication will deal with (a) a novel, compact apparatus for studying the main parameters of formation and dissociation of gas hydrates in a single, reproducible experiment, which can be easily and rapidly carried out on board of a drilling ship;[1] (b) an overview on the effects of amphiphile molecules (surfactants) as inhibitors or promoters of gas hydrate formation;[2] and (c) preliminary results on a novel nanotechnology for a reliable and quick production of hydrogen hydrates, and its application to fuel cells.[3,4] [1] Arca, S., Di Profio, P., Germani, R., Savelli, G., International Patent Application PCT/IT2006/000274 [2] Di Profio P., Arca S., Germani R., Savelli G., 2005, "Surfactant promoting effects on clathrate hydrate formation: are micelles really involved?", Chem. Eng. Sci., 60, pp. 4141-4145 [3] Di Profio P., Arca S., Germani R., Savelli G., 2006, "Novel Nanostructured Media for Gas Storage and Transport: Clathrate Hydrates of Methane and Hydrogen", J. Fuel Cell Sci. & Tech., February 2007, vol. 4. [4] Arca, S., Di Profio, P., Germani, R., Savelli, G., International Patent Application PCT/IT2007/000000 (No. to be communicated).
Clathrate hydrates of methane and hydrogen: A nanotech approach
DI PROFIO, Pietro;
2007-01-01
Abstract
The study of clathrate hydrates of methane (natural gas) has been historically carried out and developed by geologists and geochemists on the side of natural deposits, and by chemical engineers as pertains to the problems of flow assurance into pipelines. Moreover, gas hydrates are being increasingly considered as convenient media for gas storage and transportation as the knowledge of their properties progresses, in particular as relates to methane and hydrogen. Finally, clathrate hydrates may represent an ideal sequestration technology for carbon dioxide, due to a well defined P/T range of stability, and several research programs are addressing the feasibility thereof. Though the understanding of the molecular structure and supramolecular interactions which are responsible of most properties of hydrates have been elucitated in recent years, the underlying theoretical physico-chemical framework is still poor, especially as relates to the role of "conditioners" (inhibitors and promoters) from the molecular/supramolecular point of view. In the present communication we show some results from our research approach which is mainly focused on the supramolecular properties of clathrate hydrate systems - and their conditioners - as a way to get access to a controlled modulation of the formation, dissociation and stabilization of gas hydrates. In particular, this communication will deal with (a) a novel, compact apparatus for studying the main parameters of formation and dissociation of gas hydrates in a single, reproducible experiment, which can be easily and rapidly carried out on board of a drilling ship;[1] (b) an overview on the effects of amphiphile molecules (surfactants) as inhibitors or promoters of gas hydrate formation;[2] and (c) preliminary results on a novel nanotechnology for a reliable and quick production of hydrogen hydrates, and its application to fuel cells.[3,4] [1] Arca, S., Di Profio, P., Germani, R., Savelli, G., International Patent Application PCT/IT2006/000274 [2] Di Profio P., Arca S., Germani R., Savelli G., 2005, "Surfactant promoting effects on clathrate hydrate formation: are micelles really involved?", Chem. Eng. Sci., 60, pp. 4141-4145 [3] Di Profio P., Arca S., Germani R., Savelli G., 2006, "Novel Nanostructured Media for Gas Storage and Transport: Clathrate Hydrates of Methane and Hydrogen", J. Fuel Cell Sci. & Tech., February 2007, vol. 4. [4] Arca, S., Di Profio, P., Germani, R., Savelli, G., International Patent Application PCT/IT2007/000000 (No. to be communicated).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
