Kinetic Promotional Effect of Methane Hydrate Formation in the Presence of Leucine

Recent advancements in energy storage and transportation have identified natural gas hydrates as a viable medium for gas storage and transportation, due to their superior storage capacity and favorable conditions. However, the slow reaction rate of hydrate formation limits its industrial application, necessitating rate enhancement for practical use. In this study, leucine is selected as the promoter for the formation of methane hydrates. The research initially focuses on assessing the promotional effect of varying concentrations of leucine. The findings indicate that higher concentrations of leucine substantially increase the reaction rate and shorten the time required for the process, while maintaining the gas storage capacity. Further investigation using a visual apparatus reveals that elevated reaction rates coincide with higher initial rates of water conversion and an observed discrepancy between gas and liquid consumption. The study concludes by employing bilateral single droplet visualization technology and contact angle characterization to ascertain the critical influence of surface wettability on the rapid formation of hydrates. This holds theoretical significance for applications based on methane hydrates, including the storage and transportation of natural gas.