| abstract |
The present invention relates to economically advantageous methods of forming, processing, transporting and storing fluids, especially natural gas in the form of solid crystalline gas hydrates. It has been found that fluid can be removed from a mixture of hydrate, liquid and optionally gas using a two stage fluid separation process in which a more efficient, but generally more expensive, fluid removing efficiency separation service is used for the second stage. A number of separation devices are also disclosed. A device for effectively and economically cooling substantially dry hydrate is also disclosed, as is a method for economically storing and transporting hydrate. |