Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Effects of Clay Content on CH₄ Hydrate Formation in Sand

Natural gas hydrates exist in large quantities nature and represent a potential source of energy, mostly the form methane gas. Knowledge about hydrate formation clayey sand is importance for understanding production from reservoirs, as well impact global warming on stability subsurface hydrates. In this paper, we explore effect clay content phase transitions unconsolidated at realistic reservoir conditions (P = 83 bar T 5–8 °C) both experimentally numerically. Kaolin was mixed pure quartz series experiments where ranged 0 wt % to approximately 12 %. Simulations these were set up TOUGH+HYDRATE. kinetic reaction model, particle size used proxy kaolin content. The growth water (0.1 NaCl) visualized quantified by magnetic resonance imaging with millimeter resolution. Dynamic revealed faster regions increased NMR T2 mapping infer transition characteristics pore scale. Numerical simulations showed also materials smaller mean size. simulation results significant deviation throughout period. constraints experimental modeling setups are discussed address challenges comparing them.