Measurement of Dissolved Methane in Water in Equilibrium with Its Hydrate

The amount of methane dissolved in the water phase in the presence of CH4 gas hydrate has been measured at temperatures between 274 and 285 K and pressures ranging from 35 to 65 bar. It was found that the solubility of methane in the presence of hydrate decreases with decreasing temperature in the hydrate formation region. In the absence of gas hydrate the solubility of methane gas in water increases with decreasing temperature as expected. The results show that the hydrate formation process reverses the gas−liquid solubility trend. This confirms theoretical calculations. It was also observed that pressure was not a strong factor on the solubility in the presence of hydrates.