The characteristics of fluid potential in mud diapirs associated with gas hydrates in the Okinawa Trough

Many mud diapirs have been identified in the southern Okinawa Trough from a seismic survey using R/V KEXUE I in 2001. The movement and accumulation of free gas related to mud diapirs are discussed in detail by an analysis of fluid potential which is based upon velocity data. It can be found that free gas moves from the higher fluid potential strata to the lower ones and the gas hydrate comes into being during free gas movement meeting the proper criteria of temperature and pressure. In fact, gas hydrates have been found in the upper layers above the mud diapirs and in host rocks exhibiting other geophysical characteristics. As the result of the formation of the gas hydrate, the free gas bearing strata are enclosed by the gas hydrate bearing strata. Due to the high pressure anomalies of the free gas bearing strata the fluid potential increases noticeably. It can then be concluded that the high fluid potential anomaly on the low fluid potential background may be caused by the presence of the free gas below the gas hydrate bearing strata.

An industrial scale dehydration process for natural gas involving membranes

An industrial scale dehydration process based on hollow fiber membranes for lowering the dew point of natural gas is described in this paper. A pilot test with the feed flux scale of 12x10(4) Nm(3)/d was carried out. Dew points of -8 degreesC-13 degreesC at a gas transport pressure in the pipeline of 4.6M Pa and methane recovery of more than 98% were attained. The water vapor content of the product gas could be maintained around 0.01 vol% during a continuous run of about 700 hours. The effects of feed flux and operation pressure on methane recovery and water vapor content were also investigated. Additionally, some auxiliary technologies, such as a full-time engine using natural gas as fuel and the utilization of vent gas in the process, are also discussed. A small amount of the vent gas from the system was used as a fuel for an engine to drive vacuum pumps, and the heat expelled from the engine was used to warm up the natural gas feed. The whole system can be operated in a self-sustainable manner from an energy point of view, and has a relatively high efficiency in the utilization of natural gas.

Research and development of catalytic processes for petroleum and natural gas conversions in the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics

The Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has a long history in the R&D of catalysts and catalytic processes for petroleum and natural gas conversions in China. In this paper, results and features of some commercialized petrochemical catalysts and processes as well as newly developed processes for natural gas conversion in the pilot-plant stage are described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

An integrated air-POM syngas/dimethyl ether process from natural gas

A Cu-Zn-Al methanol catalyst combined with HZSM-5 was used for dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis from a syngas containing nitrogen, which was produced by air-partial oxidation of methane (air-POM). Air-POM occurred at 850 degreesC, 0.8 MPa, CH4/air/H2O/CO2 ratio of 1/2.4/0.8/0.4 over a Ni-based catalyst modified by magnesia and lanthanum oxide with 96% CH4 conversion and constantly gave syngas with a H-2/CO ratio of 2/1 during a period of 450 h. The obtained N-2-containing syngas was used directly for DME synthesis. About 90% CO per-pass conversion, 78% DME selectivity and 70% DME yield could be achieved during 450 h stability testing under the pressure of 5.0 MPa. the temperature of 240 degreesC and the space velocity of 1000 h(-1). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.

Empirical analysis and improved modelling of natural gas demand in Ireland

Countries across the world are being challenged to decarbonise their energy systems in response to diminishing fossil fuel reserves, rising GHG emissions and the dangerous threat of climate change. There has been a renewed interest in energy efficiency, renewable energy and low carbon energy as policy‐makers seek to identify and put in place the most robust sustainable energy system that can address this challenge. This thesis seeks to improve the evidence base underpinning energy policy decisions in Ireland with a particular focus on natural gas, which in 2011 grew to have a 30% share of Ireland’s TPER. Natural gas is used in all sectors of the Irish economy and is seen by many as a transition fuel to a low-carbon energy system; it is also a uniquely excellent source of data for many aspects of energy consumption. A detailed decomposition analysis of natural gas consumption in the residential sector quantifies many of the structural drives of change, with activity (R2 = 0.97) and intensity (R2 = 0.69) being the best explainers of changing gas demand. The 2002 residential building regulations are subject to an ex-post evaluation, which using empirical data finds a 44 ±9.5% shortfall in expected energy savings as well as a 13±1.6% level of non-compliance. A detailed energy demand model of the entire Irish energy system is presented together with scenario analysis of a large number of energy efficiency policies, which show an aggregate reduction in TFC of 8.9% compared to a reference scenario. The role for natural gas as a transition fuel over a long time horizon (2005-2050) is analysed using an energy systems model and a decomposition analysis, which shows the contribution of fuel switching to natural gas to be worth 12 percentage points of an overall 80% reduction in CO2 emissions. Finally, an analysis of the potential for CCS in Ireland finds gas CCS to be more robust than coal CCS for changes in fuel prices, capital costs and emissions reduction and the cost optimal location for a gas CCS plant in Ireland is found to be in Cork with sequestration in the depleted gas field of Kinsale.