Solid Hydrate Methane Separation Using Selective Small Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating high-purity methane from natural gas are economically inefficient and require high pressure and low temperature conditions for gas hydrate formation, necessitating the use of thermodynamic promoters.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a solid hydrate with a thermodynamic promoter in large cavities and injecting natural gas into a solid hydrate to selectively capture methane in small cavities, excluding ethane and propane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gas hydrate formation is used for methane separation, then methane capture capacity is improved, but high pressure and low temperature conditions are required which increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A thermodynamic promoter is introduced as an intermediary substance that facilitates methane capture by hydrates under milder conditions. The promoter modifies the hydrate formation thermodynamics, enabling effective methane separation without requiring extreme pressure and temperature conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between capture capacity and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermodynamic parameters of hydrate formation by introducing promoters that shift the equilibrium conditions. This allows the system to operate at less extreme pressures and temperatures while maintaining high methane capture capacity, effectively resolving the technical contradiction
2Ease of operation
If thermodynamic promoters are used to enable hydrate formation under milder conditions, then ease of operation is improved, but economic viability deteriorates due to additional costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs small amounts of thermodynamic promoters that can be readily regenerated or replaced. These promoters, used in limited quantities, enable easier operation while their low cost and potential for regeneration mitigate the economic burden, addressing the contradiction between operational ease and economic viability
3Device complexity
If liquid hydrates are used for methane separation, then process simplicity is improved, but separation purity and uptake capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses solid hydrate particles with specific structural characteristics that provide enhanced methane selectivity. The solid phase offers localized high-capacity capture sites with specific cavity structures that preferentially accommodate methane molecules, achieving both high purity (99%) and high uptake (50-85 v/v) while maintaining process simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves high-purity methane separation with a purity of over 99% and uptake of 50-85 v/v, outperforming liquid hydrates in efficiency and purity.
Implementation Method 1
a solid hydrate where large cavities (sll-L) are filled with a thermodynamic promoter to exclude ethane or propane and selectively capture methane within small cavities (sll-S) of the solid hydrate
Implementation Method 2
large cavities (sll-L) are filled with a thermodynamic promoter to exclude ethane or propane and selectively capture methane within small cavities (sll-S)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for separating methane capable of selectively separating high-purity methane from natural gas, a mixture of various gases, using a solid hydrate. The method for separating methane involves preparing a solid hydrate where a thermodynamic promoter is captured in large cavities (sll-L), and small cavities (sll-S) being empty, and supplying natural gas to the solid hydrate, allowing the selective capture of methane in the small cavities (sll-S) of the solid hydrate. The methane captured using the solid hydrate is of high purity and can be utilized in various industrial fields.