In situ observations by magnetic resonance imaging for formation and dissociation of tetrahydrofuran hydrate in porous media.
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate has long been used as a substitute for methane hydrate in laboratory studies. This article investigated the formation and dissociation characteristics of THF hydrate in porous media simulated by various-sized quartz glass beads. The formation and dissociation processes of THF hydrate are observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. The hydrate saturation during the formation is obtained based on the MRI data. The experimental result suggests that the third surface has an effect on hydrate formation. THF hydrate crystals lean to form on the glass beads and in their adjacent area as well as from the wall of the sample container firstly. Furthermore, as the pore size diminishes, or as the formation temperature decreases, the nucleation gets easier and the formation processes faster. However, the dissociation rate is mostly dependent on the dissociation temperature rather than on the pore size.
Key Laboratory of Ocean Energy Utilization and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P.R. China.
Jiafei
J
Zhao
Lei
L
Yao
Yongchen
Y
Song
Kaihua
K
Xue
Chuanxiao
C
Cheng
Yu
Y
Liu
Yi
Y
Zhang
D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D003461:Crystallography / Q000379:methods*; D005663:Furans / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D016062:Porosity
D005663:Furans