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Effect of Hydrate Microscopic Distribution on Acoustic Characteristics during Hydrate Dissociation: An Insight from Combined Acoustic-CT Detection Study

Authors :
Qingtao Bu
Tongju Xing
Chengfeng Li
Jinhuan Zhao
Changling Liu
Zihao Wang
Wengao Zhao
Jiale Kang
Qingguo Meng
Gaowei Hu
Source :
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Vol 10, Iss 8, p 1089 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Geophysical detection techniques are important methods in marine gas hydrate exploration and monitoring, because the small-scale distribution of hydrates has a large impact on the wave velocity. The acoustic response characteristics of hydrate micro-distributions have strong significance for monitoring the hydrate dissociation process. In this paper, experiments simulating the hydrate dissociation process were carried out in a self-developed experimental device combining X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) scanning and ultrasonic detection, which allowed the acoustic wave characteristics and X-CT scanning results to be simultaneously obtained during the hydrate dissociation process. This study found that the hydrate dissociation stage is divided into three stages. The hydrate begins to dissociate at spots where it comes into touch with sand particles early in the dissociation process. The main factor affecting the acoustic wave velocity of hydrates in this stage is changes in the microscopic distribution of hydrate. In the middle stage, a large amount of hydrate decomposes, and the main factor affecting the acoustic wave velocity of hydrate in this stage is the change in hydrate content. In the later stage of hydrate dissociation, the hydrate distribution pattern consists mainly of the pore-filling type, and the hydrate micro-distribution at this stage is the main factor affecting the acoustic wave velocity. This study will be of great significance for understanding the microscopic control mechanism of hydrate reservoir geophysical exploration.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
10081089 and 20771312
Volume :
10
Issue :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.222fc606408f4ff18eb8d505674c437d
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10081089