Determining the Minimum Detection Limit of Methane Hydrate Using Associated Alpha Particle Technique

Methane hydrate is a crystalline compound in which methane is trapped within a water lattice under high-pressure, low-temperature conditions. Its presence in oceanic and permafrost sediments makes it a promising alternative energy source, but also a potential contributor to climate change. Accurate...

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Published inJournal of marine science and engineering Vol. 13; no. 6; p. 1050
Main Authors Batur, Josip, Sudac, Davorin, Meric, Ilker, Valković, Vladivoj, Nađ, Karlo, Obhođaš, Jasmina
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.06.2025
Subjects
Alpha particles
Alpha rays
Alternative energy sources
associated alpha particle (AAP) technique
Carbon
Climate change
Climatic changes
Detectors
Feasibility studies
Gamma rays
Gamma spectroscopy
gamma-ray spectroscopy
Geophysical exploration
Geophysical methods
Hydrates
Low temperature
Methane
Methane hydrate
Methane hydrates
Methods
minimum detection limit (MDL)
Monte Carlo simulations
Neutron flux
neutron time-of-flight
Neutrons
Permafrost
Renewable energy
Sediments
Sediments (Geology)
Sensors
Signal processing
Spectroscopy
United States
Netherlands
Croatia
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Summary:Methane hydrate is a crystalline compound in which methane is trapped within a water lattice under high-pressure, low-temperature conditions. Its presence in oceanic and permafrost sediments makes it a promising alternative energy source, but also a potential contributor to climate change. Accurate in situ detection remains a major challenge due to hydrate’s dispersed occurrence and the limitations of conventional geophysical methods. This study investigates the feasibility of using the associated alpha particle (AAP) technique for the direct detection of methane hydrate. A series of laboratory measurements was conducted on sand-based samples with varying levels of methane hydrate simulant. Using a 14 MeV neutron generator and a LaBr3 gamma detector, the 4.44 MeV carbon peak was monitored and calibrated against volumetric hydrate saturation. The minimum detection limit (MDL) was experimentally determined to be (67±25)%. Although the result is subject to high uncertainty, it provides a preliminary benchmark for evaluating the method’s sensitivity and highlights the potential of AAP-based gamma spectroscopy for in situ detection, especially when supported by higher neutron flux in future applications.
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ISSN:2077-1312
2077-1312
DOI:10.3390/jmse13061050