Crystal Growth, Structure Characterization, and Schemes for Economic Transport: An Integrated Approach to the Study of Natural Gas Hydrates

: In this paper, two themes are specifically targeted for developing a cost-effective option to transport methane hydrates from distant locations. Under the first theme, data are presented on crystal growth techniques, sample preparation and neutron diffraction studies of 3.5Xe · 8CCl4· 136D2O, xCH4· 8CCl4· 136D2O, xH2S · 8CS2· 136 H2O, and 20Br2· 172D2O. Under the second theme, the GTL option is selected wherein methanol is the product of choice for transport. For GTL, the processing of aqueous CH4 by steam reforming is the preferred route to synthesis gas. Subsequent conversion of synthesis gas into methanol will require the formulation of advanced catalysts.