Experimental techniques for studying interfacial dynamics and sediment response during CH₄-CO₂ hydrate replacement

Methane hydrates are a largely untapped energy resource with the potential to support carbon sequestration through CH₄-CO₂ exchange. However, large-scale methane recovery from hydrate-bearing sediments remains constrained by key uncertainties related to sediment stability, multiphase fluid dynamics, and geomechanical responses during gas production. One of the key scientific challenges is to understand the transient interface dynamics and mechanical weakening of hydrate deposits during CH₄-CO₂ displacement, especially the unexplained effects of pore water meniscus surface evolution and its influence on sediment stability. This study reviews CH₄-CO₂ replacement methods, including microscale piezoelectric sensing, triaxial testing, and real-time resistivity monitoring. It quantifies displacement efficiency and hydrate dissociation geomechanics while analyzing interfacial dynamics and sediment behavior during exchange process. Document Type: Perspective Cited as: Cao, S. C., Li, X., Jung, J., Li, X. Experimental techniques for studying interfacial dynamics and sediment response during CH₄-CO₂ hydrate replacement. Capillarity, 2025, 15(3): 53-57. https://doi.org/10.46690/capi.2025.06.01