So far the project has examined methane hydrates, but the next step will also look at CO2 hydrates. This is important in other ways since the increase in temperature of the world’s oceans means that hydrates deep underwater are now starting to melt and release methane in the atmosphere. The gas released from the oceans could exacerbate global warming and either needs to be stopped, slowed, or by some method we capture the gas which is being released. Methane is a short-lived, but intensely active greenhouse gas, which alongside CO2 is contributing to global temperature increases.
The new project, using metal-organic frameworks known as zeolites will allow for the energy-efficient, environmentally friendly separation of gas mixtures and could be an important step in dealing with this additional new source of greenhouse gases.

he wide-ranging work has been performed at TAMUQ in collaboration with Demokritos, the Greek national research center. The theory and simulations are carried out in Qatar, and an experimental facility in Greece allows real-world experimentation and measurements. Such collaborations are essential for the project and one of the strengths of the QNRF approach to funding, said Dr Economou.
“What I really like about QNRF is it gives us opportunities to collaborate with institutions outside Qatar. For example, we don’t have an experimental facility here, but we can do that work in Demokritos, and we get more work done in a fraction of the time compared to if I had to build an experimental facility here. QNRF also give us the opportunity to exchange information. One co-author is based in Greece, but spends 2-3 months each year in Qatar, in my group, as a visiting scientist, so we gain a lot from him. One post-doc spent last summer in Greece working on the experimental set-up, so there is a very efficient transfer of knowledge between the groups, which allows us to get many things done.”