Kinetic features of the dissociation process of gas hydrate deposits

Abstract

The research is aimed at revealing the theoretical features of the kinetics of the process of dissociation of natural gas hydrates, the accounting of which is useful in designing technologies for their development. The process of decomposition of gas hydrates is considered as a heterogeneous process, proceeding at the interface of the phases and contains three consecutive stages. The mathematically grounded speed with which molecules fluctuate around fixed positions and the velocity of their translational motion in the system “gas – rock environment”. The mathematical expression of the constant coefficient of molecular diffusion is made. It has been established that when gas is extracted from gas hydrates, external and internal diffusion zones, as well as diffusion inhibition, are caused, which causes an increase in the decay time of gas hydrate to gas and water. The character of the dependence of the change in the rate of dissociation during its various periods is revealed. It was found that the speed of the dissociation process in these conditions varies with the temperature under the exponential law