http;//www.elpais.com
日本は、海底メタンガスの試験抽出に成功
Japón encabeza la explotación del ‘oro submarino’ como combustible
El país asiático consigue extraer de forma experimental gas del hidrato de
metano del lecho marino
Es una alternativa de futuro al petróleo, con riesgos
Elena G. Sevillano Madrid 13 MAR 2013 - 00:01 CET
Japan leads the exploitation of 'Golden Sea' as fuel
The country achieved experimentally extract gas hydrate
seabed methane
It's a future alternative to oil, with risks
Ellen Sevillano Madrid 13 MAR 2013 - 00:01 CET
Already there who has christened the "Golden Submarine". The seabed harbor large quantities of methane hydrates that researchers have spent years trying to safely remove to get alternative energy source to oil and other fossil fuels. At first glance, are like pieces of ice, with the proviso that if they are approached by a flame burn. They consist of a mixture of gas and water which is stable at low temperature and high pressure, precisely the conditions given in the seabed, at least 500 meters. It is estimated that there are reserves that duplicate those of oil, natural gas and coal. Hence the high expectations generated by these investigations.
Japan just stand at the head of these experiments to announce that it has managed to extract methane gas off its coast, in the Atsumi Peninsulas and Shima, on the east coast of the country. Not the first time, said Carlos Rossi, Professor, Department of Petrology and Geochemistry of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, who recalled recent successful campaigns in Canada. Yes is the first time, as the state company said yesterday Japan Oil in a press release, which is offshore, ie in an offshore well. The drillship named Chikyu began yesterday the flow test and production of gas, which is burned in a burner installed in the stern.
Two techniques
The structures that form methane hydrate is stable at low temperature and high pressure, which determines the two extraction methods possible, says Carlos Rossi, Complutense University. One involves injecting a hot fluid and the other in removing pressure by pumping.
Japan has participated in two previous international trials in Canada, both onshore, ie on land. The first, in 2001, tested the heat technique. The second, between 2007 and 2008, tested the depressurization method, which the state-owned Japan Oil gets dissociated methane hydrate in a "more efficient". It is the latter that is being used in the actual test.
Methane hydrates are also called clathrates of methane due to this type of composite structure, wherein the molecules of the gas caged water. At first sight are like ice.
Methane hydrates are "very abundant and always known," said Rossi. "Abound in the arctic, but also for example in Spain, in the Gulf of Cadiz." What is Japan doing "a test," he adds. "It has not yet begun production, it is the testing phase. Let flow the well to see how it will flow and estimates to determine if it can be commercially exploited. " The flow, explains, "has to be stable, ie, the well must release carbohydrates at a rate that is maintained over time."
Japan is particularly interested in extracting methane. No oil and after the nuclear accident in Fukushima (March 2011) the government decided to radically change its energy policy. Virtually all nuclear plants were disconnected. "Japan is totally dependent on energy, with millions of tons of methane hydrates in the ocean to extract" says Daniel Closa, CSIC researcher. If successful, it will not be immediately. The Japanese Ministry of Economy, which funds the project, ensures that there is methane hydrates in the natural gas equivalent to matter the country in 11 years. "Although there is commercial production," says the official press release, "will be a great progress in the research and development of methane hydrates as a resource." If you pass the current test, the project will move to a second phase and then to a "future commercial production" which is planned for the period 2016-2018.
Extraction of methane hydrate, also face the difficulty of enabling wells at sea, has environmental hazards. "It is a greenhouse gas more potent than CO2," says Rossi. "Dozens of times," he insists. The effect it could have on global warming should not be underestimated, says Closa also. It is difficult not to release methane into the atmosphere during removal since it is composed of a "relatively stable," he adds, and says: "If we start to remove it is not to panic but to be vigilant."
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿