Core samples from the Mallik 5L-38 well were studied under methane and nitrogen gas atmospheres in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) equipped with a cryostage, video recorder, and mass spectrometer. Hydrate and water ice formation and dissocia-tion were imaged while simultaneously collecting gas samples for analysis. Hydrate crystals ap-peared to grow epitaxially under a methane atmosphere in the ESEM whereas only loosely agglomerated water ice crystallites were observed under a N2 gas atmosphere. The peak rate of gas hydrate dissociation in Mallik sediment samples occurred at -56 ±2°C whereas the peak rate was at -37°C for an artificial methane hydrate sample synthesized from crushed ice.
Revised: September 1, 2011 |
Published: January 1, 2005
Citation
McGrail B.P., J.S. Young, P.F. Martin, and M.L. Alexander. 2005.Characterization of JAPEX/JNOC/GSC et al. Mallik 5L-38 Core Samples in the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope. In Scientific Results from the Mallik 2002 Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program, Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada, edited by SR Dallimore and TS Collett. Ottawa, :Geological Survey of Canada.PNNL-SA-40801.