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Rapid conversion of amino acid modified-ice to methane hydrate for sustainable energy storage

Author

Listed:
  • Ye Zhang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Yunhan Ma

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Kan Jeenmuang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Gaurav Vishwakarma

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Chang-Yu Sun

    (China University of Petroleum)

  • Guang-Jin Chen

    (China University of Petroleum)

  • Praveen Linga

    (National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Advancing safe and efficient natural gas storage solutions is essential for ensuring a stable gas supply and strengthening global energy resilience. In this study, we developed amino acid-modified ice (AM-Ice) for solidified natural gas (SNG) applications. The optimized AM-Ice clathrate system achieved a methane storage capacity of 146.56 v/v with an uptake rate of 3.22 v/v s−1 and 90% of the reaction completed within just 2.42 min. Compared to the unmodified ice baseline, this represents a 30-fold increase in storage capacity and a 29-fold enhancement in reaction kinetics. In situ Raman spectroscopy unveiled time-dependent methane occupancy at the molecular level within both 512 and 51262 cages of the sI clathrate. We conducted an assessment of the effects of amino acid concentration, diversity, pressure, temperature, and scalability on hydrate formation in AM-Ice. Unlike conventional surfactants, amino acids facilitated rapid methane recovery through heat stimulation while effectively mitigating foam formation.

Suggested Citation

  • Ye Zhang & Yunhan Ma & Kan Jeenmuang & Gaurav Vishwakarma & Chang-Yu Sun & Guang-Jin Chen & Praveen Linga, 2025. "Rapid conversion of amino acid modified-ice to methane hydrate for sustainable energy storage," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63699-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63699-2
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