Gas hydrate characterization in sediments via x-ray microcomputed tomography

Natural gas hydrates (NGHs) are efficient and promising energy resources because of their high density. In addition, NGH occurs in sediments under certain pressure temperature conditions has the potential to meet increasing global demand. However, exploitation requires a precise characterization understanding hydrate formation, accumulation, dissociation mechanisms. this context, microstructural is essential specialized methods equipment. While traditional imaging tools offer fundamental analysis, x-ray microcomputed tomography (?CT) gained recent attention producing high-resolution three-dimensional images pore structure habits hydrate-bearing providing spatial distribution morphology hydrate. Further, ?CT offers direct visualization growth at resolution ranging from macro- micro-metric scale; therefore, it extensively used characterization. This review summarizes theoretical basis spanning setup experimental apparatus techniques. The applications reservoir characterization, such as types constituents, physical chemical properties, occurrence, presented. Hydrate using explicitly discussed, including general pore-habit prediction, saturation percolation behavior, seepage permeability, influence on mechanical properties sediments. Last, conclusions recommendations for future research provided. reference application evaluate hydrates, which contributes exploiting these resources.