On the Theory of Formation of a Gas Hydrate in a Heat-Insulated Space Compacted with Methane

The formation of a gas hydrate in a closed adiabatic space saturated with snow and a gas in the initial state is considered. The formation of a gas hydrate in this gas–snow system in the case where in the initial state it has a negative temperature was investigated. It was established that, depending on the initial snow saturation of the indicated system, a gas hydrate can be formed in it at both negative and positive temperatures as well as at the melting point of ice. It is shown that there exists any initial snow saturation of the gas–snow system at which the hydrate saturation of the heat-insulated space reaches a maximum value depending on its initial temperature and pressure. It was established that the intensity of hydrate formation in this space increases with increase in the pressure in it and decrease in its temperature. Charts of different possible final states of the gas–snow system depending on its initial temperature, pressure, and snow saturation were constructed. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.