Fundamental Studies on Gas Hydrates related to Energy Recovery and Processing and Carbon Storage

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There is a significant opportunity to have a strong and positive impact on translational research related to energy recovery and processing as well as carbon dioxide capture and storage by further advancing our fundamental understanding of how gas hydrate crystals grow, decompose and interact with other substances. Clathrate or gas hydrates are non-stoichiometric crystalline inclusion compounds formed by water and a number of other molecules like as CH4, C2H6, C3H8, H2, N2 and CO2. Gas hydrates form at temperature and pressures, which may be encountered during production, transportation and processing of oil and gas. Safe and reliable oil and gas operations require an effort to either avoid the formation of gas hydrates or control the behaviour (risk management) of a hydrate containing system in a manner that ensures flow of the hydrocarbons. Chemical additives (usually water soluble synthetic polymers) known as kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) are used for risk management. KHIs are also known as low dosage hydrate inhibitors (LDHIs). Synthetic polymers may be problematic as they may raise environmental concerns. On the other hand, antifreeze proteins are environmentally benign (green) gas hydrate inhibitors. Our work aims to fully uncover how antifreeze proteins interact with gas hydrates crystals as well as how hydrate crystal plugs in pipelines may be dissociated. This knowledge can be used to effectively manage the risk from hydrate formation and also to design more effective and more economic and green additives for hydrate risk management. It is also well known that quantities of natural gas have accumulated in the Earth as natural gas hydrate crystals and constitute an unconventional source of energy. One potential technology for he recovery of this energy is through the injection of flue gas mixture from power plants. If this technology is successful it will enable carbon dioxide storage simultaneously with energy recovery. Our work aims to contribute towards further understanding of the carbon dioxide/natural gas exchange mechanism and the key controlling parameters needed for the scale up of the process and field implementation. Funding for three PhD students to work in this research program is requested by this proposal. The three students will carry out laboratory investigations and molecular simulations, write and defend a PhD thesis, publish their results in the top journals in their field and present their findings at National and International conferences.