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Quantifying hydrate formation and kinetic inhibition

Journal Article · · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie970902h· OSTI ID:659052
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States). Center for Hydrate Research

In the Prausnitz tradition, molecular and macroscopic evidence of hydrate formation and kinetic inhibition is presented. On the microscopic level, the first Raman spectra are presented for the formation of both uninhibited and inhibited methane hydrates with time. This method has the potential to provide a microscopic-based kinetics model. Three macroscopic aspects of natural gas hydrate kinetic inhibition are also reported: (1) The effect of hydrate dissociation residual structures was measured, which has application in decreasing the time required for subsequent formation. (2) The performance of a kinetic inhibitor (poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) or PVCap) was measured and correlated as a function of PVCap molecular weight and concentrations of PVCap, methanol, and salt in the aqueous phase. (3) Long-duration test results indicated that the use of PVCap can prevent pipeline blockage for a time exceeding the aqueous phase residence time in some gas pipelines.

OSTI ID:
659052
Journal Information:
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 37; ISSN IECRED; ISSN 0888-5885
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English