Decomposition characteristics of methane hydrate in porous media under continuous and intermittent microwave heating

Zhu，Yue1,2; Li，Xuhui1,2; Zhao，Chuang1,2; Zhang，Jing1,2; Bondarenko，Volodymyr3; Dreus，Andrii4; Liang，Jinqiang5; Li，Xiaoyang6; Zhu，Jinlong7; Wang，Pengfei7; Li，Shengli1,2; Liu，Baochang1,2

2023-01-15

10.1016/j.fuel.2022.126230

FUEL   Impact Factor & Quartile

0016-2361

1873-7153

Microwave stimulation is a new method for natural gas hydrate exploitation. In this study, methane hydrate was synthesized in quartz sand with a particle size of 106–150 μm, and the decomposition characteristics were investigated using continuous and intermittent microwave heating. During the initial stage of continuous microwave heating, methane hydrate decomposed immediately due to microwave stimulation. Subsequently, due to a decrease in microwave penetration depth, microwaves did not affect the areas further away from the microwave source and macroscopic heat transfer became the main heat source for hydrate decomposition. The microwave power used during the study ranged from 200 W to 500 W. The results indicated that hydrate decomposition time decreased as power increased, and the average gas production rate increased at the same time. However, the energy efficiency ratio did not vary with the microwave power. The maximum energy efficiency ratio was 1.320 at a microwave power of 400 W under continuous microwave heating. Compared with continuous microwave heating, intermittent microwave heating improved the efficiency ratio by 59.32 %, with a heating cycle involving microwave stimulation for 5 min (Microwave ON time) and no stimulation for 1 min (Microwave OFF period). As microwaves provide heat for hydrate decomposition, a high-speed gas production can be obtained. Heat reservoirs were utilized to maintain hydrate decomposition during the OFF period, which also resulted in energy saving. Although intermittent microwave heating reduced the average gas production rate slightly, it improved the energy efficiency significantly. Therefore, the number of heating cycles and microwave heating periods should be carefully considered to obtain high hydrate exploitation efficiency. Intermittent microwave heating is recommended for hydrate exploitation to improve extraction efficiency and save energy.

Continuous and intermittent microwave heating Decomposition Characteristics Energy efficiency ratio Methane hydrate Microwave stimulation

SCI

English

Others

National Key Research and Development Program of China[2018YFE0208200];

Energy & Fuels ; Engineering

Energy & Fuels ; Engineering, Chemical

WOS:000874643700002

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

ENGINEERING

2-s2.0-85139735320

Scopus

1.College of Construction Engineering,Jilin University,Changchun,130026,China
2.Key Laboratory of Drilling and Exploitation Technology in Complex Condition,Ministry of Natural Resources,Changchun,130026,China
3.Dnipro University of Technology,Department of Mining Engineering and Education,Dnipro,19 Yavornytskoho,49005,Ukraine
4.Oles Honchar Dnipro National University,Department of Fluid Mechanics and Energy & Mass Transfer,Dnipro,72 Haharina Ave,49089,Ukraine
5.Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources,Ministry of Land and Resources/Investigation and Research Center for Marine Petroleum and Gas,China Geological Survey,Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey,Guangzhou,Guangdong,510075,China
6.Institute of Exploration Techniques,China Geological Survey,Langfang,065000,China
7.Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Natural Gas Hydrates & Department of Physics,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,51805,China

Zhu，Yue,Li，Xuhui,Zhao，Chuang,et al. Decomposition characteristics of methane hydrate in porous media under continuous and intermittent microwave heating[J]. FUEL,2023,332.

Zhu，Yue.,Li，Xuhui.,Zhao，Chuang.,Zhang，Jing.,Bondarenko，Volodymyr.,...&Liu，Baochang.(2023).Decomposition characteristics of methane hydrate in porous media under continuous and intermittent microwave heating.FUEL,332.

Zhu，Yue,et al."Decomposition characteristics of methane hydrate in porous media under continuous and intermittent microwave heating".FUEL 332(2023).