Methane Hydrate Pellet Transport Using the Self-Preservation Effect: A Techno-Economic Analysis

Gregor Rehder, Robert Eckl, Markus Elfgen, Andrzej Falenty, Rainer Hamann, Nina Kähler, Werner F. Kuhs, Hans Osterkamp and Christoph Windmeier
Additional contact information
Gregor Rehder: Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde (IOW), Sektion Meereschemie/Seestrasse 15, Rostock 18119, Germany
Robert Eckl: Linde AG, Engineering Division, Research & Development–Process Development (RDPD)/ Dr.-Carl-von-Linde-Str. 6-14, Pullach 82049, Germany
Markus Elfgen: MEYER WERFT GmbH, Industriegebiet Süd, Papenburg 26871, Germany
Andrzej Falenty: Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde (IOW), Sektion Meereschemie/Seestrasse 15, Rostock 18119, Germany
Rainer Hamann: Germanischer Lloyd SE, Department of Strategic Research/Brooktorkai 18, Hamburg 20457, Germany
Nina Kähler: Germanischer Lloyd SE, Department of Strategic Research/Brooktorkai 18, Hamburg 20457, Germany
Werner F. Kuhs: Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen (GZG), Abteilung Kristallographie, Goldschmidtstraße 1, Göttingen 37077, Germany
Hans Osterkamp: MEYER WERFT GmbH, Industriegebiet Süd, Papenburg 26871, Germany
Christoph Windmeier: Linde AG, Engineering Division, Research & Development–Process Development (RDPD)/ Dr.-Carl-von-Linde-Str. 6-14, Pullach 82049, Germany

Energies, 2012, vol. 5, issue 7, 1-25

Abstract: Within the German integrated project SUGAR, aiming for the development of new technologies for the exploration and exploitation of submarine gas hydrates, the option of gas transport by gas hydrate pellets has been comprehensively re-investigated. A series of pVT dissociation experiments, combined with analytical tools such as x-ray diffraction and cryo-SEM, were used to gather an additional level of understanding on effects controlling ice formation. Based on these new findings and the accessible literature, knowns and unknowns of the self-preservation effect important for the technology are summarized. A conceptual process design for methane hydrate production and pelletisation has been developed. For the major steps identified, comprising (i) hydrate formation; (ii) dewatering; (iii) pelletisation; (iv) pellet cooling; and (v) pressure relief, available technologies have been evaluated, and modifications and amendments included where needed. A hydrate carrier has been designed, featuring amongst other technical solutions a pivoted cargo system with the potential to mitigate sintering, an actively cooled containment and cargo distribution system, and a dual fuel engine allowing the use of the boil-off gas. The design was constrained by the properties of gas hydrate pellets, the expected operation on continental slopes in areas with rough seas, a scenario-defined loading capacity of 20,000 m 3 methane hydrate pellets, and safety as well as environmental considerations. A risk analysis for the transport at sea has been carried out in this early stage of development, and the safety level of the new concept was compared to the safety level of other ship types with similar scopes, i.e. , LNG carriers and crude oil tankers. Based on the results of the technological part of this study, and with best knowledge available on the alternative technologies, i.e. , pipeline, LNG and CNG transportation, an evaluation of the economic competitiveness of the methane hydrate transport technology has been performed. The analysis considers capital investment as well as operational costs and comprises a wide set of scenarios with production rates from 20 to 800 10 3 Nm 3 ·h ?1 and transport distances from 200 to 10,000 km. In contrast to previous studies, the model calculations in this study reveal no economic benefit of methane hydrate transportation versus competing technologies.

Keywords: methane hydrate; NGH; gas transport; self-preservation; LNG; CNG; pipeline; methane hydrate carrier; risk analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (17)

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