K-12 TEACHER RESOURCES ON GAS HYDRATES & CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
2007 Summer : Propane Clathrate Hydrate Experiment
The Janda Group at University of California, Irvine under the direction of Kenneth Janda, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator) and Robert Ferazzi (Experimental Coordinator) have undertaken a Propane Hydrate Project to simulate natures production of gas hydrates in the laboratory. The gas hydrate simulator is a large scale device using propane as the gas source under a pressure of approximately 60 atm. The gas is bubbled into an approximately 20 liter column of water which has been cooled to ~ 2-4 0 C.
Diagram illustrating the propane hydrate experimental design. CONTROLCO
The above images show the Experimental Setup. Propane input controls and temperature controled refrigeration 2- 4 C(left) Propane gas input through diffuser 40-60 psig (center) Propane hydrate monitored via webcam (right)The Propane Hydrate Project is interested in determining the steady state rates of hydrate production and determining how much if any propane escapes from the hydrates formed in the column.
During the summer of 2007 experiments have shown that the propane clathrate grows rapidly forming over very short periods of time.
Janda Lab, W Redding, July 2007
An interesting effect observed by numerous researchers is a “memory effect” in which successive hydrate crystal growth attempts have demonstrated that hydrates form more rapidly over repeated trials.
Janda Lab, W. Redding, July 2007
You can view time lapsed clathrate growth taken over a period of 32 minutes at temperatures between 2.11 - 2.66 C and pressures of 57.8 - 60.18 psig with the following power point presentation from experiments conducted by Bill Redding or view a time-lapsed (media player) video.
(quick time ) video
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