Gas hydrate regassification method and apparatus using steam or other heated gas or liquid

• Main Authors: HEINEMANN, ROBERT FREDERICK, HUANG, DAVID DA-TEH, SAEGER, ROLAND BERNARD, LONG, JINPING
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 11.12.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE ORUNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; BLASTING; CHEMISTRY; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED,LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIRELIGHTERS; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FUELS; FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HEATING; LIGHTING; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; LUBRICANTS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; METALLURGY; NATURAL GAS; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; PEAT; PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; STORING OF DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BYSUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED ORSOLIDIFIED GASES; WEAPONS

A method and apparatus for safely, conveniently, and inexpensively liberating gas from gas hydrates includes the use of a device, provided adjacent to or in the bulk gas hydrates, for exposing the gas hydrates to heat from a gas or liquid (preferably steam). The gas hydrates can be directly exposed to the gas or liquid or indirectly exposed through a thermally conductive coil or channel. The heat from the gas or liquid dissociates the gas hydrates into the corresponding gas component and water component. After liberation, the gas component can be collected for further storage, transport, or use. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving at least a portion of the gas or liquid through the device for exposing the gas hydrates to heat. The device for exposing the gas hydrates to heat also can be movable, so it can be maintained in close proximity to or in contact with the gas hydrates for continued efficient gasification of the hydrates.