The growth habit of methane hydrate film at the Gas–liquid interface

Abstract

Understanding the interfacial formation characteristics of methane hydrates in deep-sea environments is fundamental to isolate leaking methane (a potent greenhouse gas). We observed the three-dimensional (3-D) characteristics of methane hydrate film (HF) growth at the gas–liquid interface (GLI) under different pressures using micro-nano industrial X-ray computed tomography (X-CT). The results indicate that the primary growth mode of the HFs at the GLI after initial formation was growth through the continuous formation of cracks. This crack-induced growth enhanced the hydrate conversion rate. We compared the thickness distribution characteristics of the hydrate growth under varying pressures. While the early HF exhibited thickening, the average thickness in the later stage of hydrate growth remained relatively stable and homogeneity. This study on the growth characteristics of HFs at the GLI provides a foundation for further development of efficient and stable methods for hydrate utilization and sequestration.