Methane gas has numerous uses in its natural gaseous form. It is one of the best fuel sources and due to its abundance it has promising benefits as compared to the oil gases whose prevalence is limited making them more expensive. However, a major hiccup exists in its storage and transportation since the most conveniently used form is its liquefied form. This issue has for limited the volumes transported for the long time since the liquid occupies much more space as it could in a powder form. In addition, this transportation method poses great risks since the gas is highly flammable. It is this necessity that facilitated numerous researches into possible solutions which eventually led to the revelation that methane gas could easily be transported
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The business shall entail the conversion of the natural gas to a special powder form known as methane gas hydrate (commonly referred to as dry water). The process shall entail mixing the natural gas with water under high pressure and low temperature. It facilitates reaction of the mixture to form methane gas hydrate, a powder resembling granulated sugar. This powder makes it easier to store and transport as opposed to the pressurized canisters and pipelines. In addition, it occupies lesser space leading to more quantities transported at a go with reduced expenses. Transporting methane gas in this state shall also be beneficial in that the trucks carrying the gas shall get to use the same gas for fuel. This economically viable mode of power generation is also one of the most environmental friendly modes as the vehicles will lead to minimal air pollution. It is due to the fact that combustion of methane produces carbon dioxide as opposed to the more hazardous carbon monoxide (Jarad et al., …show more content…
Silica shall be used to ensure that the water does not coalesce and thus remain in tiny droplets. This shall serve to increase the surface area of water that comes into contact with the methane gas, thus speeding up the rate of absorption of the gas. The “dry water” soaks up the gas quickly at the water’s normal freezing point; instead of having to go to the -113 degrees Celsius (or be under a pressure of up to 5000 kilopascals) required to maintain the gas in liquid form. This is way cheaper as it requires lesser energy consumption. The costs involved excluding the gas itself are quite surprising since mixing the water with silica only requires a normal blending machine – which is locally available. Silica is also cheaply available, leaving the input costs affordable. Reconversion of the powdered gas to liquid form for use is relatively simple and involves the reverse of its formation, that is, either an increase in the temperature or a decrease in the
The business shall entail the conversion of the natural gas to a special powder form known as methane gas hydrate (commonly referred to as dry water). The process shall entail mixing the natural gas with water under high pressure and low temperature. It facilitates reaction of the mixture to form methane gas hydrate, a powder resembling granulated sugar. This powder makes it easier to store and transport as opposed to the pressurized canisters and pipelines. In addition, it occupies lesser space leading to more quantities transported at a go with reduced expenses. Transporting methane gas in this state shall also be beneficial in that the trucks carrying the gas shall get to use the same gas for fuel. This economically viable mode of power generation is also one of the most environmental friendly modes as the vehicles will lead to minimal air pollution. It is due to the fact that combustion of methane produces carbon dioxide as opposed to the more hazardous carbon monoxide (Jarad et al., …show more content…
Silica shall be used to ensure that the water does not coalesce and thus remain in tiny droplets. This shall serve to increase the surface area of water that comes into contact with the methane gas, thus speeding up the rate of absorption of the gas. The “dry water” soaks up the gas quickly at the water’s normal freezing point; instead of having to go to the -113 degrees Celsius (or be under a pressure of up to 5000 kilopascals) required to maintain the gas in liquid form. This is way cheaper as it requires lesser energy consumption. The costs involved excluding the gas itself are quite surprising since mixing the water with silica only requires a normal blending machine – which is locally available. Silica is also cheaply available, leaving the input costs affordable. Reconversion of the powdered gas to liquid form for use is relatively simple and involves the reverse of its formation, that is, either an increase in the temperature or a decrease in the