The article summarizes the key scientific and technological achievements in the field of applying gas hydrates in the power industry. The modern ideas about the specific features relating to the synthesis, transportation, storage, regasification, and use of hydrates for thermal conversion of low-grade fuels and waste, separation of gaseous and liquid media, as well as sequestration of anthropogenic emissions are analyzed. It is shown that the experimental data and the results of mathematical modeling and various-scale tests that have been obtained for the last years in the world’s scientific society form a basis for the development of technologies for applying natural and man-made hydrates. Concepts for integrated use of hydrates in the power systems at mines and in supply of energy resources to settlements are outlined. The technical and economic constraints connected with the development of gas hydrate technologies, their target indicators, and potential solutions of the formulated problems are determined. For the gas hydrate technologies to be efficiently introduced in the energy sector, the following so-called target business metrics (threshold indicators) should be achieved: gas content is no less than 180 vol/vol.;1 purification ratio of gas obtained after separation of smoke, natural, casing-head, and synthesized gases is no less than 90%; maximal loss of gas in storing and transporting hydrates is not more than 0.1%; hydrate storage term is up to six months; stable combustion temperature during joint low-emission combustion of hydrates with low-grade fuels (sludges, heavy coal-tar products, cakes, etc.) is not lower than 1100°С. For solving these problems, it is necessary to carry out fundamental and applied studies, as well as various-scale tests for integrating gas hydrates into modern power systems with ensuring environmental cleanliness and economic efficiency. The conditions under which essential advantages are achieved in comparison with alternative technologies in each hydrate application area have been determined.
Strizhak et al. (Mon,) studied this question.