Significance of wettability of porous media and its implication for hydrate-based pre-combustion CO2 capture

“Nanoreactors” for Boosting Gas Hydrate Formation toward Energy Storage Applications

“…The latest studies have shed light on the correlation between the changes made to the aforementioned parameters and the gas hydrate nucleation kinetics. The previously discussed works by Shi et al and Lee et al provide good examples of this advance. As shown in Figure b,c, altering pores’ surface wettability allows one to engineer the gas hydrate nucleation kinetics (e.g., controlling the induction time).…”

“…53 They indicated that a moderately hydrophobic surface (112°) greatly shortened the induction time, while higher surface hydrophobicity leads to a prolonged induction time (Figure 5c). 53 These studies demonstrate excellent promoting effects of nanoreactors having moderate surface wettability on the gas storage capacity and hydrate nucleation kinetics.…”

“…Likewise, Lee et al modified the surface wettability of silica gels and investigated the correlation between the surface modification and the induction time of CO 2 gas hydrate formation (Figure c) . They indicated that a moderately hydrophobic surface (112°) greatly shortened the induction time, while higher surface hydrophobicity leads to a prolonged induction time (Figure c) . These studies demonstrate excellent promoting effects of nanoreactors having moderate surface wettability on the gas storage capacity and hydrate nucleation kinetics.…”

“…They observed the fastest methane hydrate nucleation (i.e., the shortest induction time) at the contact angle of 64° (Figure b). Likewise, Lee et al modified the surface wettability of silica gels and investigated the correlation between the surface modification and the induction time of CO 2 gas hydrate formation (Figure c) . They indicated that a moderately hydrophobic surface (112°) greatly shortened the induction time, while higher surface hydrophobicity leads to a prolonged induction time (Figure c) .…”

“…These results also provide hints to understanding the optimal wettability of the pores' wall to achieve the best gas hydrate kinetics. Parts (a), (b), and (c) were drawn based on the data from Denning et al, 49 Shi et al, 52 and Lee et al, 53 shows sudden and strong increases of methane uptake at pressures around 4 MPa (Figure 4b). Complementary neutron scattering study proved that these increases of methane uptake were given by methane hydrate formation.…”