5:15 PM - 6:30 PM
[MIS09-P15] Isotopic fractionation of ethane at the formation of sII gas hydrate composed of methane and ethane
Keywords:gas hydrate, stable isotope, ethane, Lake Baikal
Methane and ethane mixed-gas hydrate of the cubic structure II exists at the central and southern Baikal Basin. We found "double structure gas hydrate" composed of the structure I and II in a same sediment core. The structure II gas hydrate contained 13-15% of ethane, on the contrary, the structure I has only several % of ethane. Subramanian et al. (2000a; 2000b) reported that a structure II forms in appropriate gas composition of methane and ethane. Hachikubo et al. (2009) showed that delta D of hydrate-bound ethane in the structure II is smaller than that in the structure I, whereas delta 13C of methane and ethane, and delta D of methane are the same between the structure I and II. It has been unknown how the structure II concentrates light ethane in delta D (hydrogen isotope).
In this study, synthetic mixed-gas (methane and ethane) hydrates were formed and checked isotopic fractionation between phases of hydrate and residual gas. We made a hydrate sample from methane and ethane mixed-gas (85% C1; 15% C2) in a pressure chamber (volume: 120 mL). Before the retrieval of gas hydrate sample, residual gas was also sampled. We measured isotopic compositions (13C and D) of methane and ethane using CF-IRMS. Crystallographic structure of gas hydrate was determined using a Raman spectrometer.
The Raman spectra of C-C stretching mode of ethane in hydrate phase indicated that the sample belonged to structure II. Delta D of hydrate-bound ethane was several permil smaller than that of residual ethane, similar to the behavior of methane delta D in the structure I. Although the mechanism of ethane fractionation at the formation process of the structure II is not fully understood, the results agree with the observation at the Kukuy K-2 mud volcano reported by Hachikubo et al. (2009).
Hachikubo et al. (2009) Model of formation of double structure gas hydrates in Lake Baikal based on isotopic data. Geophys Res Lett 36: L18504. doi:10.1029/2009GL039805
Subramanian et al. (2000a) Evidence of structure II hydrate formation from methane + ethane mixtures. Chem Eng Sci 55: 1981-1999. doi:10.1016/S0009-2509(99)00389-9
Subramanian et al. (2000b) Structural transitions in methane + ethane gas hydrates - part I: upper transition point and applications.
Chem Eng Sci 55: 5763-5771. doi:10.1016/S0009-2509(00)00162-7
In this study, synthetic mixed-gas (methane and ethane) hydrates were formed and checked isotopic fractionation between phases of hydrate and residual gas. We made a hydrate sample from methane and ethane mixed-gas (85% C1; 15% C2) in a pressure chamber (volume: 120 mL). Before the retrieval of gas hydrate sample, residual gas was also sampled. We measured isotopic compositions (13C and D) of methane and ethane using CF-IRMS. Crystallographic structure of gas hydrate was determined using a Raman spectrometer.
The Raman spectra of C-C stretching mode of ethane in hydrate phase indicated that the sample belonged to structure II. Delta D of hydrate-bound ethane was several permil smaller than that of residual ethane, similar to the behavior of methane delta D in the structure I. Although the mechanism of ethane fractionation at the formation process of the structure II is not fully understood, the results agree with the observation at the Kukuy K-2 mud volcano reported by Hachikubo et al. (2009).
Hachikubo et al. (2009) Model of formation of double structure gas hydrates in Lake Baikal based on isotopic data. Geophys Res Lett 36: L18504. doi:10.1029/2009GL039805
Subramanian et al. (2000a) Evidence of structure II hydrate formation from methane + ethane mixtures. Chem Eng Sci 55: 1981-1999. doi:10.1016/S0009-2509(99)00389-9
Subramanian et al. (2000b) Structural transitions in methane + ethane gas hydrates - part I: upper transition point and applications.
Chem Eng Sci 55: 5763-5771. doi:10.1016/S0009-2509(00)00162-7