(441e) High Capacity Methane Hydrates Based On Bio-Promoters

Gas hydrates, or gas clathrates, are non-stoichiometric, crystalline inclusion compounds composed of a hydrogen-bonded water lattice which traps small molecules within polyhedral cavities. Recently, gas hydrates have drawn significant interests in the potential applications in the separation, capture, storage, and transportation of a wide range of gases, including methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. However, there is a key issue to be addressed: slow formation rate of gas hydrate, which is approximately inversely proportional to the thickness of the hydrate zone, and low capacity. Herein, we report, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time regarding using lignosulfonates (LSs), a promoter derived from biomass, for the formation of high capacity methane hydrates. LSs, which are byproducts of pulp and paper industry, can be used as effective promoters for the formation of methane hydrate in terms of both formation rate and storage capacity (up to 167 v/v under standard temperature and pressure). The lignosulfonates promoted system also exhibited excellent recyclability.