The diffusional transport of methane in liquid water: method and result of experimental investigation at elevated pressure

The characteristics of and the easy mathematical approach to a recent and simple experimental method, which is designed for the investigation of the diffusional transport of gas molecules in the water phase, especially at reservoir conditions, are described. Numerical values are presented for the diffusion coefficient of methane in liquid water at elevated pressure. The results prove the reliability of the method. They indicate the possibility of high methane transport rates in water at reservoir temperatures. The obvious deviation from the ideal, thermodynamical concentration dependence on the diffusion coefficient points out the possibility of enhanced insight into the formation of gas hydrates in the liquid phase at reservoir conditions.