54
Recovery
of Natural Gas from Methane Hydrate Deposits--Precision
Combustion, Inc., 410 Sackett Point Road, North Haven, CT
06514; 203-287-3700, www.precision-combustion.com
Dr.
William Pfefferle, Principal Investigator, wpfefferle@precision-combustion.com
Mr.
Paul Donahe, Business Official, pdonahe@precision-combustion.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83755
Thermal
dissociation of methane hydrates by the injection of a hot fluid is a potential
method of recovering natural gas from hydrate deposits that are either undersea
or below permafrost. However,
because of heat loss to the reservoir rock and water, the injected energy can
exceed the heating value of the recovered gas.
This project will utilize previously developed catalytic technology to
eliminate heat loss when transporting a heated fluid through perma frost or cold
sea water. Phase I will construct
and demonstrate a thermodynamic and economic computer model to calculate energy
requirements and estimate projected costs of the proposed method. Simulation
variables include hydrate composition and concentration in the rock formation,
reservoir temperature and pressure, the presence of excess gas or water, etc.
Commercial Applications and Other
Benefits
as described by awardee: The
technology should enable the recovery of natural gas from the huge amount of
methane hydrates estimated to exist undersea and below permafrost (some 700,000
trillion cubic feet, many times the estimate of conventional natural gas and oil
deposits). Access to a new source of
fuel would be provided, and leakage of methane (one of the most potent
greenhouse gases) into the environment would be prevented.