Experimental study on formation and decomposition characteristics of tetrahydrofuran and methane hydrate based on microfluidic chip technology

Gas hydrates are considered a promising energy source for the 21st century, and understanding their formation and decomposition processes is crucial. This study utilized micro-fluidic technology to observe the secondary formation and decomposition of hydrates at the pore scale, comparing methane-tetrahydrofuran(THF)-water and methane-water systems. The study found that hydrates tended to form and decompose at the gas-liquid interface, and the second formation rate of hydrates was higher than the first. During depressurization, hydrates located at the solid-liquid interface decomposed first, followed by decomposition towards the interior of the hydrate. The study sheds light on the formation and decomposition characteristics of gas hydrates at the pore scale, providing some insights for the safe and efficient exploitation of gas hydrate.