Estimation of natural gas production temperature based on deuterium isotopologues propane

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K18782
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 17:Earth and planetary science and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Alexis Gilbert 東京工業大学, 理学院, 助教 (20726955)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-06-29 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: Natural gas / Propane / isotope / Biogeochemistry

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We implemented a system for the measurement of internal 2H-distribution in natural propane. The system is based on that used for 13C measurement. The system allows measurement of internal 2H distribution of natural propane with a precision of 0.5%, comparable with conventional methods.
We used slightly 2H-enriched propane at specific position to estimate the accuracy of the method. The tests revealed that the high-temperature conversion used in our system do not scramble completely H-atoms and that the original "h internal distribution of propane can be calculated from that of the pyrolytic fragments. Analysis of propane from natural gas samples shows that depending on the origin a different signature is obtained, which is promising for tracing sources and sinks of hydrocarbons in natural gas.

Free Research Field

Biogeochemistry

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

開発されたアプローチは最先端であり、炭化水素の2H内部分布を測定できる研究室は世界中にほとんどありません。 それは、有機分子の起源を明らかにすることを目的とする私たちのグループの進歩、したがって重要な地球と生命の相互作用を追っています。
概して、エネルギー探査、気候変動、地下の隠された生物圏など、さまざまな分野にわたる質問に光を当てます。
長期的には、この手法は堆積物の炭化水素に使用され、過去の年代の気温を推定することができます。