Preparation of a Hydrogel-Based Promoter for Methane Hydrate Formation: Effects of −SO3– Density on Promotion Efficiency
The natural gas hydrate (NGH) technology has aroused more attention due to its great promise in natural gas (mainly containing methane) storage and transportation. Micronized swollen hydrogel poly(styrenesulfonate-co-acrylamide) (PSS-co-AAm), which included ample −SO3– groups, could remarkably promote methane hydrate formation kinetics. To further improve the promotion efficiency of this hydrogel-based promoter, we optimized the monomer ratio, that is, the molar ratio of styrenesulfonate to acrylamide (MRSA), during hydrogel preparation and investigated the effects of −SO3– density on the promotion efficiency of the hydrogel. Results indicated that the hydrogel at an appropriate MRSA performed better at promoting methane hydrate formation kinetics. Hydrate formation processes within hydrogels at MRSAs of 1:2 and 1:3 reached the highest hydrate formation rates of 0.0741 ± 0.0132 mmol mL–1 min–1 and the highest storage capacities of 126.5 ± 9.35 v/v, respectively. At MRSAs of 1:1 and 1:2, hydrate formation processes occurred with short induction durations of 24.33 ± 25.73 min and 34.33 ± 59.47 min, respectively. This revealed that high −SO3– density could be in favor of accelerating methane hydrate formation. Additionally, −SO3– density could also influence absorption capacity and water distribution of the hydrogel, which further affected promotion efficiency in methane hydrate formation kinetics. This work might be beneficial to large-scale applications of the PSS-co-AAm hydrogel promoter and be significant for the industrialization of the NGH technology.
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