Natural gas is known to be challenging to both
store and transport, but engineers at the National University of Singapore
(NUS) have found a way to convert the gas into “combustible ice” in just 15
minutes. A version of this process exists in nature, in which molecules of
natural gas become trapped in “cages” of water molecules; although this
creation of gas hydrates can take millions of years to form.
The NUS researchers, who recently published their findings in the journal Energy &Environmental Science, report that their production method is not hazardous, as it is non-explosive, and uses less toxic additives.
- The mixture includes amino acid -L-tryptophan, which rapidly speeds up the reaction rate to twice as fast as the existing standard. The ice block is shrunken by 90 times and can be stored at regular freezer temperatures (-5°C or 23°F) as opposed to liquid natural gas, which must be kept at much cooler temperatures.
- “Our breakthrough can really be put into perspective when you consider that it takes millions and millions of years for gas hydrates to form in nature,” Gaurav Bhattacharjee, an author of the study, told New Atlas. “Yet with our correct addition of secret ingredients to the system in small quantities, the same process can be effected in the laboratory in a matter of minutes.”
- Although their research is limited to lab experiments, they hope to next set up a pilot scale experiment. Their goal is to convert approximately 100 kilograms of gas a day and then scale the solid gas for industrial use.
(credit: National University of Singapore)
