Phase stability and kinetics of methane hydrate formation in presence of calcium and magnesium carbonate

The huge amount of methane hydrate deposits identified in deep marine sediments is considered as the new resource for future energy. Since carbonates are one of the major components of marine sediments, in the present study, an investigation has been made to study methane hydrate stability and kinetics in the presence of CaCO₃ and MgCO₃. Effect of the presence of carbonates on the solubility of methane in the system has also been examined as it directly affects the hydrate formation process. It has been observed that in presence of CaCO₃ and MgCO₃, the hydrate formation is inhibited. Comparative studies have also been done in the presence of artificial seawater to consider the effect of presence of different salts. Mole consumption of methane gas during hydrate formation in different carbonate samples was measured using real gas equation and found to be minimum in CaCO₃ in seawater sample due to the combined effect of the presence of CaCO₃ and different salts of seawater. An increase in nucleation and induction time was also observed demonstrating the inhibition of hydrate formation in the presence of these components. Further, the decrease in hydrate formation rate also confirmed the inhibition effect of CaCO₃ and MgCO₃ on hydrate formation.