Gas Hydrates for CO₂ Capture

Gas hydrates are ice-like solid compounds of small gas molecules and water that form at low temperature and high pressure. They are a major flow assurance problem in the global oil and gas industry. Apart from that, gas hydrates also have applications as separation agents. In this capacity, they can separate CO₂ from mixed gas streams (e.g., power plant flue gas) and enable relatively straightforward transport of the CO₂ as a hydrate slurry. In this chapter, the use of gas hydrates in carbon capture is considered. A background to the science and technology of gas hydrates is presented as to their thermodynamic properties. Recent improvements, current work, and the state of the art in applying gas hydrates to CO₂ capture are also explored.