Recent Advances to Overcome Methane Hydrate Formation Challenges Using Nanostructure Promoters: A Mini Review Towards Industrialization

Natural gas has recently drawn considerable attention due to its low emissions upon combustion. Pipeline transmission of natural gas is costly and always encounters different obstacles. Therefore, an effective industrial alternative for the storage and transmission of natural gas is needed. Hydrates, also known as solidified natural gas, have been proven to be a more feasible replacement compared to pipeline transmission, CNG, or LNG. Scientists have introduced promoters to shorten the induction time, increase the storage capacity, and improve the stability of hydrates. Nanostructure materials have demonstrated promising promotion results, suggesting a bright future and a critical step in the industrialization of this technology. Researchers have mainly used pure methane, which is the main component of natural gas, to form hydrates. In this article, the fundamentals of the selection of a nanopromoter, the hydrate formation process, and related calculations are demonstrated. Finally, recent results have been brought together to provide an overview of advances towards the use of nanostructure promoters to tune hydrates for future industrial processes.