A Simple Method for Calculation of the Composition of Type I Clathrate Hydrates

A simple and generalized method for calculating the composition of the Type I clathrate gas hydrates is discussed. It is suggested that the use of additive terms in the known temperature dependent molar volume values of hexagonal ice is useful in calculating the molar volume of the empty clathrate cage. Since the molecular weight of the gas hydrate is dependent on the occupation, the degree of occupation can be expressed by using the experimental density values of each hydrate. The results so obtained are in fair agreement with the results calculated from experimental density and X-ray lattice constants, and with the values of the experimentally measured compositions.