SIMULATIONS OF THE METHANE HYDRATE METHANE GAS INTERFACE NEAR HYDRATEFORMING CONDITIONS

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to probe the interface b etween type I methane hydrate and methane gas in the temperature range 250-300 K, and at pressures of 1 and 100 MPa, The interface was found to be stable up to 270 K, with the onset of melting occurring more re adily at the lower pressure. Disordering of the surface layer was obse rved at all temperatures, to the extent that under some conditions a s table liquid film formed between the clathrate and gas phases.