Effect of Methanol on the Kinetics of Nucleation and Growth of Methane Hydrate

The study investigated the kinetics of methane hydrate nucleation and growth in aqueous methanol solutions with concentrations of 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mass%. It was established that the reduction of the supercooling at the onset of methane hydrate formation Δ T o by adding methanol is statistically significant, even at low concentrations. The value of Δ T o decreases by a factor of five in the transition from water to 20 mass% alcohol solution. It was found that a correlation involving an increase in the amount of hydrate at the end of the cooling stage is observed with an increase in the alcohol content. Further, adding methanol to the water also increases the growth rate of the methane hydrate. The experimental data shows that methanol plays a role as a promoter of nucleation and growth of methane hydrate, and also indicates the dual nature of methanol, which is simultaneously a thermodynamic inhibitor of gas hydrates.