Membrane Structure for Methane Hydrate Recovery: Adhesion of Membrane Film and Methane Hydrate

Recovery of methane inhabiting and gushing from seafloor is a significant process in order to use it as an energy resource. In this study, the author will focus on seeping methane gas bubbles or methane seeps. Because methane seeps rise from seafloor, it is necessary to collect those rising seeps with some type of cover or film. Using a membrane roof over methane seep site will be suggested here.

Each methane seep is in the form of bubbles or in the form of gas surrounded by outer layer hydrate. Since these methane seeps are in the form of methane hydrate, each hydrate tend to form together or stick to other objects underwater, which could interfere the recovery process. Here, the author will suggest the investigation result of the behavior of methane seeps when they form as methane hydrate.

The investigation was conducted using a flat board above rising methane seeps from seafloor and monitored methane hydrate particles collected on this board. Details of collected methane hydrate were reported. Then the board with collected methane hydrate particles was tilted to confirm the angle at which those particles detach from the board. The result of this observation will be reported.

From the above investigations, the author was able to obtain a part of the basic data necessary to recover methane hydrate using a membrane structure covering over methane seeps. The author plans to consider the shape of the membrane structure as well as the installation method.