CO2 Capture and Storage from Flue Gas Using Novel Gas Hydrate-Based Technologies and Their Associated Impacts

Power plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere primarily through the combustion of fossil fuels, leading to accumulation of increased greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. Global climate changing has led to increasing global mean temperatures, particularly over the poles, which threatens to melt gas hydrate reservoirs, releasing previously trapped methane and exacerbating the situation.  Here we used gas hydrate-based technologies to develop techniques for capturing and storing CO₂ present in power plant flue gas as stable hydrates, where CO₂ replaces methane within the hydrate structure. First, we experimentally measured the thermodynamic properties of various flue gases, followed by modelling and tuning the equations of state. Second, we undertook proof of concept investigations of the injection of CO2 flue gas into methane gas hydrate reservoirs as an option for economically sustainable production of natural gas as well as carbon capture and storage. The optimum injection conditions were found and reaction kinetics was investigated experimentally under realistic conditions. Third, the kinetics of flue gas hydrate formation for both the geological storage of CO₂ and the secondary sealing of CH₄/CO₂ release in one simple process was investigated, followed by a comprehensive investigation of hydrate formation kinetics using a highly accurate in house developed experimental apparatus, which included an assessment of the gas leakage risks associated with above processes.  Finally, the impact of the proposed methods on permeability and mechanical strength of the geological formations was investigated.