Catalyst allowing conversion of natural gas hydrate and liquid CO2 to CO2 hydrate and natural gas

The present invention relates to the recovery of natural gas hydrate to produce large volumes of useable hydrocarbon fuels, particularly methane (CH ). In particular, the present invention involves the use of an inexpensive and commercially available acid catalyst that allows natural gas hydrate and liquid CO to be converted into CO hydrate and natural gas in a form that can then be readily recovered using conventional means. The present invention has the added benefit of providing a cost-effective and environmentally safe method for disposing of CO used during conversion of the hydrate. A method for recovering large volumes of hydrocarbon fuels, particularly methane (CH), using commercially available reagents which are strongly water-soluble and soluble in liquid COin the presence of liquid COinjected into the methane hydrate formation. The reagents which are strongly water-soluble and soluble in liquid COform dilute aqueous acids that significantly increase the rate of conversion of methane hydrate into methane and COhydrate, thereby allowing the natural gas to be released in a form that can then be recovered in large quantities using conventional devices. The preferred embodiment uses SO, HCl or other strongly water soluble gas to cause the methane hydrate ice crystals to melt and form an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution contacts the methane hydrate ice on one side and liquid carbon dioxide on the other side. The system spontaneously adjusts so that the acid solution remains strong enough to melt the methane ice, but not strong enough to prevent the formation of the carbon dioxide ice at the recovery temperature and pressure. The natural gas is liberated from the hydrate and removed by conventional devices.