FORMATION AND DECOMPOSITION OF GAS HYDRATES

The kinetics of hydrate formation and decomposition are explained as u nderstood to date. The formation and decomposition phenomena are compl ex. Hydrate formation is viewed as a crystallization process that incl udes the nucleation and growth processes. Hydrate nucleation is an int rinsically stochastic process that involves the formation and growth o f gas-water clusters to critical sized, stable hydrate nuclei. Hydrate growth process involves the growth of stable hydrate nuclei as solid hydrates. Hydrate decomposition is a sequence of lattice destruction a nd gas desorption processes. The process of heat transfer during hydra te decomposition is analogous to nucleate boiling phenomena. The focus of this work is to present the various perspectives on the kinetic pr ocesses at a conceptual level. Key issues for research in this area ar e identified and some possible directions for future work are suggeste d.