Potential applications of Epoxycyclopentane at ambient temperatures in the synthesis of natural gas hydrate suitable for storage and transportation conditions

Potential applications of Epoxycyclopentane (ECP) in the synthesis of natural gas hydrate suitable for storage and transportation conditions are evaluated in its entirety in terms of hydrate formation (ambient temperature and moderate pressure), storage (atmospheric pressure and above zero degrees Celsius), and dissociative utilization (infrared thermography and clean combustion). [Display omitted] •The thermodynamic stability of ECP hydrate is analyzed.•The kinetics and reusability of ECP hydrate at ambient temperature are investigated.•The storage characteristics of ECP hydrate at ambient temperature are discussed.•Infrared thermography is used to analyze the dissociation of ECP hydrate.•Evaluates the cleanup model and environmental benefits of ECP hydrate combustion. The technical way of storing natural gas (NG) in the form of cage hydrates is called solidified natural gas (SNG). As SNG technology continues to develop, the search for new promoters has become the focus of researchers’ attention. Epoxycyclopentane (ECP) as a methane hydrate promoter attracted our attention due to its more suitable structure for hydrate cavities and excellent physical properties. In this work, we will evaluate the possible application of ECP as a dual-acting promoter (kinetic and thermodynamic) with regard to the formation, storage and dissociative utilization of methane hydrate. A new method for rapid methane hydrate formation at ambient temperatures and storage above freezing is demonstrated. The kinetic properties of methane hydrate formation are evaluated at ambient temperature (298.2 K). The reusability of ECP as a promoter is confirmed by 18 experiments on the methane hydrate formation and dissociation cycle. Stability experiments of mixed methane-ECP hydrate under different storage and transportation conditions are designed. The dissociation behavior of mixed methane-ECP hydrate at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature is analyzed. The cleanup model and environmental benefits of mixed methane-ECP hydrate combustion are evaluated through combustion experiments. When storing NG as a hydrate, ECP as a promoter offers a good competitive advantage in terms of economic costs (formation/storage/reusability) and safety compared to other traditional methods of natural gas storage.