Study on fractal-like dissociation kinetic of methane hydrate and environment effect

Abstract

By using observation method, the dissociation process of methane hydrate at normal temperature and pressure is studied, and it is discovered which the dissociation of methane hydrate isn't occurred synchronously at whole surface, but heterogeneous characteristic of dissociation is emerged. The dissociation rate of hydrate is slow at normal temperature and pressure, and average dissociation rate is 2.15x10 -4m 3·h -1. The dissociation kinetic equation of methane hydrate is proposed. It is revealed that the dissociation of methane hydrate at normal pressure is a pseudo first-order reaction. The dissociation rate coefficient of methane hydrate in different time is calculated, and the result shows that the rate coefficient is relative to reaction time, namely the dissociation kinetics of methane hydrate does not tally with the typical kinetics law, and the dissociation reaction kinetics of methane hydrate is fractal-like. Lastly, the environment effent of hydrate dissociation is also analyzed. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.