INTRODUCTION TO HYDRATES

Definition of Gas Hydrates:

    Gas Hydrates are crystalline, ice-like solid components composed largely of water and the gas. It is estimates nearly 90 weight % consists of water and 10 weight % consists of gas.

Conditions for Hydrates existence and formation:

     In general hydrates form at high pressures and low temperatures. Hydrates form at temperatures greater than the freezing point of water. They are stable at high pressures.

     The purpose of this page is to introduce hydrates their structure and formation to the visitor's.

     The hydrates form in the gas pipelines when there is little amount of water in the gas. This will create a lot of problems in the transport of  gas, so the study of formation hydrates is very critical for  Natural Gas Industry. Due to this the gas has to be dehydrated before passing it to the pipelines.

     For the formation of hydrates there should be an equilibrium between hydrates and water Or between gas and hydrates. In general water is called Host Molecule and gas is called Guest Molecule.

     At present a lot of research has been done and found the natural existence of hydrates under the seas.  Methane hydrates  present in the sea crust has become the prominent future source of energy. It is considered to the future natural gas stock. That's why the study of gas hydrates has become so prominent in the latest days.