Promotion Effect of Copper Nanowire-Doped SDS in Methane Hydrate Formation

Abstract

To speed up the formation of methane hydrate, copper nanowires (CuNWs) doped with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were used as a promotor. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and elemental analysis of copper, oxygen, and sulfur indicated that SDS was successfully doped on the surface of copper nanowires. Compared with the SDS solution, the average hydrate induction time required for CuNW-SDS was significantly shortened from 71.25 ± 22.41 to 12 ± 4.89 min due to the strong thermal conductivity of copper nanowires. When SDS was used, the hydrate growth rates were about 0.56 ± 0.25 mmol/min. For CuNW-SDS, the hydrate growth rate was increased to 1.04 ± 0.53 mmol/min, which indicated that CuNW-SDS with better dispersibility enhanced the hydrate growth rate over 86% compared to that of SDS. In addition, when CuNW-SDS was used as a promoter, there were more dense hydrates, fewer foams generated by dissociation, and excellent recycling performance in the process of methane hydrate formation and dissociation.

Promoting Effect of Organic–Inorganic Self-Assembled Composites on Methane Hydrate

“…Rong et al found that after doping CuNW with SDS, the mixed nanofluid can reduce the induction time from 71.25 ± 22.41 to 12 ± 4.89 min compared to pure SDS solution. 23 During the hydrate induced nucleation stage, the induction period of methane hydrate in the reaction system with the presence of nanoparticles can be shortened to more than 10 min. In addition to metal-based nanofluids, carbon nanomaterials such as graphite, carbon nanotubes, and graphene 24 have also been shown to play a significant promoting role in methane hydrate experiments.…”

“…Our previous research found that the promotion effect of nanofluids on methane hydrates is not only caused by the hydrophilicity of surfactants. Rong et al found that after doping CuNW with SDS, the mixed nanofluid can reduce the induction time from 71.25 ± 22.41 to 12 ± 4.89 min compared to pure SDS solution . During the hydrate induced nucleation stage, the induction period of methane hydrate in the reaction system with the presence of nanoparticles can be shortened to more than 10 min.…”

Nucleation Behavior of Single-Gas Hydrates in the Batch-type Stirred Reactor and Their Promotion Effect with Ultrafine Bubbles: A Mini Review and Perspectives

“…Solid additives can also exhibit this formationpromoting effect. Solid types include nanoparticles of metal and silica, 62,86,87 porous media such as zeolitic imidazolate framework, 62,80−85 carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene. 88−93 Although these additives may be used alone, they are often used in combination with surfactants.…”

“…Solid additives can also exhibit this formation-promoting effect. Solid types include nanoparticles of metal and silica, ,, porous media such as zeolitic imidazolate framework, ,− carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene. − Although these additives may be used alone, they are often used in combination with surfactants. These solid additives are thought to promote the crystal growth process, primarily by increasing the thermal conductivity and mass transport within the system.…”