In situ X-ray diffraction method to study natural gas hydrates

We have recently developed an in-situ method to study the crystallisation of natural gas hydrates using synchrotron X-rays at Daresbury Laboratory. The novel technique involved the construction of a high pressure, large volume cell to grow hydrate material, and the use of energy-dispersive powder diffraction on Station 16.4 to probe crystal development. The first experiment was the observation of diffraction patterns from carbon dioxide/water during hydrate formation and subsequently the method was used to study the propane system. In this, structural results and the development of diffraction peaks as a function of time were obtained.