Non-Fickian diffusion and the accumulation of methane bubbles in deep-water sediments

Goldobin, D.S.; Brilliantov, N.V.; Levesley, J.; Lovell, M.A.; Rochelle, C.A.; Jackson, P.D.; Haywood, A.M.; Hunter, S.J.; Rees, J.G.. 2014 Non-Fickian diffusion and the accumulation of methane bubbles in deep-water sediments. The European Physical Journal E, 37 (5). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2014-14045-x

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Abstract/Summary

In the absence of fractures, methane bubbles in deep-water sediments can be immovably trapped within a porous matrix by surface tension. The dominant mechanism of transfer of gas mass therefore becomes the diffusion of gas molecules through porewater. The accurate description of this process requires non-Fickian diffusion to be accounted for, including both thermal diffusion and gravitational action. We evaluate the diffusive flux of aqueous methane considering non-Fickian diffusion and predict the existence of extensive bubble mass accumulation zones within deep-water sediments. The limitation on the hydrate deposit capacity is revealed; too weak deposits cannot reach the base of the hydrate stability zone and form any bubbly horizon.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2014-14045-x
ISSN:	1292-8941
Date made live:	08 Aug 2014 10:49 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/508037

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