The Dhaka Times Desk China has been able to produce gas for the first time from the ice-like material found under the South China Sea!
It is believed that this phenomenon can become very important in dealing with the energy crisis in the future.
China sees this as a big success. Methane hydrate – also known as 'flammable ice' – contains natural gas. Various countries including USA, Japan are trying to get gas from methane hydrate. But the process of doing this is very complicated. What is 'flammable ice'? Combustible ice consists of water and gas mixed in a frozen state.
Associate Professor Pravin Linza, from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the National University of Singapore, told the BBC that it looks like an ice crystal, but if you look closely at the molecular level, it can be understood that methane molecules are surrounded by water molecules.
Formally known as methane clathrates or hydrates, this material is formed at very low temperatures and high pressures.
It can be found under the ocean floor and underground permafrost. They are flammable even at extremely low temperatures.
Methane hydrate is considered to be very important to combat the future energy crisis. It is also believed to be the last carbon-based fuel in the world.
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