This research involves two in-liquid plasma methods of methane hydrate decomposition, one using radio
frequency wave (RF) irradiation and the other microwave radiation (MW). The ultimate goal of this
research is to develop a practical process for decomposition of methane hydrate directly at the subsea
site for fuel gas production. The mechanism for methane hydrate decomposition begins with the
dissociation process of methane hydrate formed by CH4 and water. The process continues with the
simultaneously occurring steam methane reforming process and methane cracking reaction, during
which the methane hydrate is decomposed releasing CH4 into H2, CO and other by-products. It was found
that methane hydrate can be decomposed with a faster rate of CH4 release using microwave irradiation
over that using radio frequency irradiation. However, the radio frequency plasma method produces
hydrogen with a purity of 63.1% and a CH conversion ratio of 99.1%, which is higher than using microwave
plasma method which produces hydrogen with a purity of 42.1% and CH4 conversion ratio of 85.5%
