Quantitative analysis of trace N, Ar in O using glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy.

A trace level of N and Ar gases in O ambience were quantitatively analyzed for the first time by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy. Microplasma was generated in a compact gas cell by a metal (Au) electrode pair of 1 mm diameter and ∼1 mm separation with the driving voltage of ∼0.9 kV and the current of ∼5 mA in ∼60 Torr.

Inhibition of methane and natural gas hydrate formation by altering the structure of water with amino acids.

Natural gas hydrates are solid hydrogen-bonded water crystals containing small molecular gases. The amount of natural gas stored as hydrates in permafrost and ocean sediments is twice that of all other fossil fuels combined. However, hydrate blockages also hinder oil/gas pipeline transportation, and, despite their huge potential as energy sources, our insufficient understanding of hydrates has limited their extraction.

Gas hydrate inhibition by perturbation of liquid water structure.

Natural gas hydrates are icy crystalline materials that contain hydrocarbons, which are the primary energy source for this civilization. The abundance of naturally occurring gas hydrates leads to a growing interest in exploitation. Despite their potential as energy resources and in industrial applications, there is insufficient understanding of hydrate kinetics, which hinders the utilization of these invaluable resources.

Abnormal incorporation of amino acids into the gas hydrate crystal lattice.

Gas hydrates are crystalline ice-like solid materials enclosing gas molecules inside. The possibility of the presence of gas hydrates with amino acids in the universe is of interest when revealing the potential existence of life as they are evidence of a source of water and organic precursors, respectively. However, little is known about how they can naturally coexist, and their crystallization behavior would become far more complex as both crystallize with formation of hydrogen bonds.

Hydrophobic amino acids as a new class of kinetic inhibitors for gas hydrate formation.

As the foundation of energy industry moves towards gas, flow assurance technology preventing pipelines from hydrate blockages becomes increasingly significant. However, the principle of hydrate inhibition is still poorly understood. Here, we examined natural hydrophobic amino acids as novel kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs), and investigated hydrate inhibition phenomena by using them as a model system.