Combustible Ice: Sleeping Future Energy (Figure)

"Flammable Ice" Lights Instant

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China has also made major breakthroughs in the field of flammable ice exploration. A few days ago, China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau once again obtained physical samples of combustible ice. It is gratifying that, as the third largest permafrost country in the world, scientists initially estimated that China’s prospective flammable ice resources are at least 35 billion tons of oil equivalent.

This discovery made China the first country in the world to discover gas hydrates in the middle and low latitudes in the permafrost region. This major breakthrough proves that there are abundant natural gas hydrate resources in the permafrost regions of China, and it is known that natural gas hydrates It is of great significance to collect laws and find new energy sources.

Some scientists estimate that the reserve of "flammable ice" on the sea floor is enough for human use for a thousand years.

The Ministry of Land and Resources recently held a press conference that China successfully drilled natural gas hydrate (also known as “flammable ice”) physical samples in the permafrost zone in Muli Town, Tianjun County, Qinghai Province. China became the first country in the world to find "flammable ice" in the middle and low latitudes in the permafrost region. It is the third country after Canada and the United States to obtain "flammable ice" in the land.

Qinghai discovered "flammable ice" and caused a huge sensation. So what kind of substance is "flammable ice"? Why is it that discovery will bring such a big sensation? Where can we find it? Its development What are the prospects and what role will the world's energy supply play?

- The mystery of life experience -

The best alternative energy

In fact, "flammable ice" is not ice. Experts call it "natural gas hydrates" or "gas hydrates." It is a solid substance produced by mixing water and natural gas under high pressure and low temperature conditions. It is an ice-like, cage-shaped crystalline compound composed of water and natural gas under certain conditions. Looks very like snow or solid alcohol, ignition can burn.

Its heat is high, and 1 cubic meter of "flammable ice" can release 164 cubic meters of natural gas. It is estimated that the total amount of organic carbon contained in “flammable ice” is equivalent to twice the global known coal, oil and natural gas.

Another advantage of "flammable ice" is that, after burning, "flammable ice" will only produce a small amount of carbon dioxide and water, unlike other conventional fossil energy sources.

According to predictions from the international scientific community, it is the best alternative energy source after oil and natural gas.

Formation requires three basic conditions

The formation of "flammable ice" has three basic conditions: First, the temperature cannot be too high, and it can be generated above zero degrees, and 0°C-10°C is appropriate. The maximum limit is about 20°C. The temperature is then high and the "flammable ice" will decompose. The second pressure is enough, but it can't be too big. At 0°C, it can be generated above 30 atm. Third, there must be air supply.

With regard to the cause of "flammable ice", there are currently two main views, one of which is that they originally originated from bacteria under the seabed. There are many remains of animals and plants on the seabed. When these debris rot, bacteria are produced. The bacteria emit methane. When the high pressure and low temperature conditions are met, the methane gas produced by the bacteria is locked into the hydrate.

Another view is that "combustible ice" is formed by the activity of the ocean plate. When the oceanic plate subsides, the older submarine crust will sink into the interior of the Earth, and the oil and gas on the sea floor will surface with the edge of the plate. Hydrates are formed when natural gas and seawater chemically interact when exposed to cold seawater and under deep sea pressure.

Submarine "flammable ice" is enough for human use for 1,000 years

Due to the need to have both high pressure and low temperature environments, "flammable ice" is mostly distributed in deep seabed and permafrost areas, so as to maintain a stable state, and the amount of "flammable ice" in the ocean is much larger than in the frozen soil area. Its ratio of land to sea is 1:100.

Scientists estimate that "combustible ice" is mainly distributed within 1,000 meters below the seabed, and the distribution of "flammable ice" on the seabed accounts for about 10% of the total area of ​​the ocean. The distribution area reaches 40 million square kilometers.

According to Wen Huaijun, chief of the 105th Geological Coal Geology Team of the China Coal Geology Administration, and the chief engineer, the global reserves of “flammable ice” are twice the existing reserves of natural gas, coal and oil, and 50 times that of conventional natural gas. Scientists also estimate that the reserve of "flammable ice" on the sea floor is enough for human use for 1,000 years.

- Development dilemma -

Improper development can lead to disaster

Although the outlook for flammable ice is considerable, it is difficult to extract.

On the one hand, combustible ice is either located at the bottom of the vast ocean, or is located on the permafrost, and it is very difficult to develop. On the other hand, some of the physical properties of flammable ice also make it difficult to extract flammable ice.

We already know that combustible ice is a product of low temperature and high pressure. However, the "hobby" of flammable ice to high pressure can be much greater than low temperature. It has been found that, under sufficient high pressure, combustible ice can maintain its “ice” nature at 18°C, which is an absolute “high temperature ice”.

This has brought great difficulties to the extraction of combustible ice. If sufficient high pressure and low temperature are not ensured, flammable ice will rapidly melt into water and methane. If methane cannot be collected well, a large amount of methane will directly enter the atmosphere and the global climate will face a disaster.

The exploitation of combustible ice deep in the oceans, apart from facing similar environmental problems, may also result in softening of the seabed, large-scale landslides, and destruction of subsea engineering facilities.

- Experts -

The road to development and utilization is still very long

Reporter: At what stage is China's research on "flammable ice" and how long is it from commercial development?

Zhu Youhai (Ph.D., Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences): China's “flammable ice” is still only in the trial production stage, and there is still a long way to go from its commercial development. Relative to the development of "flammable ice" on the seabed, land "flammable ice" must be relatively easy. We will first test and develop the frozen earth from the land and then apply it to the development of "flammable ice" on the seabed. At the same time, we should also contact other countries and take an active part in the actions of other countries. We must strengthen cooperation with the international community and learn from foreign experiences.

Reporter: What are the problems faced by China in developing "flammable ice" and are there effective solutions?

Zhu Youhai: The current development is mainly faced with three problems: First, there are difficulties on the technical level. China's natural gas extraction technology is relatively mature, but the development of "flammable ice" is one more process than the development of natural gas. And if it is not properly developed, it will cause natural gas leaks. Second, on the aspect of cost, it is uneconomical for the exploitation to be cost-effective. If oil prices decrease, whether it will increase development costs is also worth considering. The third is the environmental issue. If development causes great damage to the environment, then its development is also meaningless. In fact, all energy extraction will cause environmental damage to varying degrees, but with the development of science and technology, it is feasible that “flammable ice” can be developed under controllable conditions. However, there are currently no effective solutions and specific solutions are being explored. (Wen intern Li Huijun)

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China's first "combustible ice" comprehensive investigation vessel officially entered

A few days ago, Wang Xuelong, deputy director of the China Geological Survey, formally handed over the "Aircraft 6" shipworthiness certificate to the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey. This marks the official entry into China of the first self-developed combustible ice comprehensive survey vessel, which will enable China's marine geological survey equipment to enter the international advanced ranks.

“Ocean No. 6” is the first integrated flaming ice survey ship independently designed and constructed by China based on the characteristics of China’s sea areas and marine geology. The total construction cost is nearly 400 million yuan***. At the same time, the ship is also the first comprehensive geological geophysical survey ship that combines seismic surveys and geological surveys. "Ocean6" adopts international advanced electric propulsion systems, dynamic positioning, full-slewing rudder propellers and other technologies and equipment. The entire ship is designed to have a displacement of 4,600 tons and a sailing range of 15,000 nautical miles. It can conduct investigations in the international navigation zone.

â–  Extended reading

"Bermuda Triangle Mystery" may be related to "flammable ice"

Many scientists believe that unstable gas hydrates have created the "mystery of the Bermuda Triangle."

They believe that there are a large number of unstable gas hydrates on the ocean floor in the Bermuda Delta. They often leave the ocean floor and explode in contact with rising hot water. The solid-state combustible ice produces 150 times more of its own gas. As a result, a water-gas mixture with a density of only one-tenth of seawater was formed there.

In this case, seawater cannot carry the ship. They will fall like a stone falling into the water until it sinks to the end. The methane cloud rising from the water can kill people on board and all living things in an instant. Strong hydrodynamic flow, eddy currents and cyclones can also form on the sea.

If helicopters and other aircraft do not fly high, they will be sucked into the water from the air.