Перспективы метаногидратных технологий в Украине

Abstract

Определены перспективы развития гидратных технологий в Украине: транспорт природного газа в виде гидратов, длительное хранение природного газа в гидратном состоянии, добыча природного газа из его природных гидратных месторождений. Исследован положительный зарубежный опыт в развитии гидратных технологий. Проведены предварительные расчеты экономической эффективности транспорта гидратов природного газа, показывающие на 18–25 % более низкие эксплуатационные затраты по сравнению с транспортом газа в сжиженном виде. Создан экспериментальный стенд, позволяющий получать в лабораторных условиях гидраты метана и диоксида углерода, и проведены первые эксперименты.

Визначено перспективи розвитку гідратних технологій в Україні: транспорт природного газу у вигляді гідратів, тривале зберігання природного газу в гідратному стані, видобуток природного газу з його природних гідратних родовищ. Досліджено позитивний закордонний досвід у розвитку гідратних технологій. Проведено попередні розрахунки економічної ефективності транспорту гідратів природного газу, що показують на 18–25 % нижчі експлуатаційні витрати порівняно з транспортом газу в зрідженому вигляді. Створено експериментальний стенд, що дозволяє отримувати в лабораторних умовах гідрати метану та діоксиду вуглецю, проведені перші експерименти.

Perspectives of the hydrate technologies development in Ukraine were determined: transportation of natural gas in the form of hydrates, long-term storage of natural gas in hydrate state, natural gas production from its hydrate deposits. Extraction of methane from natural gas hydrates will replace a significant part of imports of natural gas. Hydrate transportation is also relevant as an alternative to transport it in a liquid state at a competitive cost. Positive international experience in the development of hydrate technology was investigated. USA intensified them explorative activity in methane hydrates natural deposits since Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act was adopted in 2001. Japan, Canada, Korea, India followed them. However, the industrial technology of methane extracting from hydrates still no exist. In Black Sea near Ukraine three zones of hydrate formation were found with estimated reserves of 50–60 trillion cubic meters of methane. Scientists considered the method of methane hydrates substitution by carbon dioxide as the most promising. Much further advanced research was in the field of transportation of natural gas in the form of hydrates. Japanese companies were succeeding in technology for hydrate pellets production, its transportation by road and using for electricity (heating) production. Hydrate pellets transported by sea under the conditions: pressure is up to 0,5 MPa, the temperature of 253 K, which corresponds to a temperature of maximum stability of methane hydrates. The researchers estimate the capital cost of transportation to the NGH as smaller 12–26 % than similar costs for LNG, depending on the size and distance of transport. Our preliminary calculations of cost-effective transport of natural gas hydrate to Ukraine showing 18–25 % lower operating costs compared to gas transport in liquefied form. At the Gas Institute of NAS of Ukraine experimental facility was created allows laboratory generation of methane and carbon dioxide hydrates. The experimental stand consists of a working chamber, the cooling unit, filling unit and the measuring equipment. The facility is designed for pressures up to 10 MPa and temperature to –26 °C. The experiments established the thermodynamic conditions of hydrate formation and dissociation for the specific composition of natural gas. Hydrates were obtained as clusters of spheres with a diameter of 2–3 mm. Domestic production of natural gas hydrate with minimal energy consumption can be created on gas distribution stations of transmission system.