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Powdered Methane Could Help Harness Energy Source

Eric Bland, Discovery News

The tiny silica particles increase the surface area of the water and make it easier and faster for the methane gas to become absorbed by the water. After about 30 minutes the white powder was fully saturated with methane; one liter of methane gas can be stored in about six grams of powdered methane, roughly the same as in most pressurized containers.

The powdered methane still needs to be held under light pressure and cooler temperatures of about -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees F).

Releasing the methane simply requires raising the temperature or decreasing the pressure, said Cooper.

Powdered methane could just be the beginning. Cooper says that the team can store other gases as powders, including hydrogen and carbon dioxide, although under different environmental conditions. Storing CO2 as a powder could make carbon sequestration easier or bring a hydrogen-powered economy closer to realization.

Easily trapping gases like CO2, methane and hydrogen could be useful, but first it has to be economical, said both Cooper and outside experts who are cautious about its expense.

Michael Max, who uses hydrates for desalination at Marine Desalination Systems, echoes Cooper.

"It's an interesting result," said Max. "But we don't see how this could be developed commercially."

Max points to Mitsui Group technology that mechanically presses methane hydrate into pea-sized pebbles, making them more stable for transportation and use. However it's stored and transported, finding a cheaper way to gather, store and transport methane and other gasses may eventually help use alternative natural resources.

"The economics of this are far from obvious," said Cooper. "This is a preliminary result and we have to think hard about the costs involved."

Related Links:

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How Stuff Works: Methane