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Determining the Minimum Detection Limit of Methane Hydrate Using Associated Alpha Particle Technique

Batur, Josip; Sudac, Davorin; Meric, Ilker; Valković, Vladivoj; Nađ, Karlo; Obhođaš, Jasmina (2025) Determining the Minimum Detection Limit of Methane Hydrate Using Associated Alpha Particle Technique. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13 (6). ISSN 2077-1312

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Abstract

Methane hydrate is a crystalline compound in which methane is trapped within a water lattice under high-pressure, low-temperature conditions. Its presence in oceanic and permafrost sediments makes it a promising alternative energy source, but also a potential contributor to climate change. Accurate in situ detection remains a major challenge due to hydrate’s dispersed occurrence and the limitations of conventional geophysical methods. This study investigates the feasibility of using the associated alpha particle (AAP) technique for the direct detection of methane hydrate. A series of laboratory measurements was conducted on sand-based samples with varying levels of methane hydrate simulant. Using a 14 MeV neutron generator and a LaBr3 gamma detector, the 4.44 MeV carbon peak was monitored and calibrated against volumetric hydrate saturation. The minimum detection limit (MDL) was experimentally determined to be (67±25)% . Although the result is subject to high uncertainty, it provides a preliminary benchmark for evaluating the method’s sensitivity and highlights the potential of AAP-based gamma spectroscopy for in situ detection, especially when supported by higher neutron flux in future applications.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: methane hydrate; associated alpha particle (AAP) technique; neutron time-of-flight; gamma-ray spectroscopy; minimum detection limit (MDL); Monte Carlo simulations; neutron generator; in situ detection
Subjects: NATURAL SCIENCES > Physics
Divisions: Division of Experimental Physics
Projects:
Project titleProject leaderProject codeProject type
Nove primjene 14 MeV neutrona-NeADavorin SudacIP-2018-01-4060HRZZ
Depositing User: Lorena Palameta
Date Deposited: 04 Jul 2025 11:36
URI: http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/9890
DOI: 10.3390/jmse13061050

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