Effects of chemical potential differences on methane hydrate formation kinetics

• CH 4 hydrate formation rates were measured in varied temperatures, pressures and flow regimes. Five growth regimes identified with physical mechanisms proposed. The affect on the integrity of growing films rates. Hydrate exponentially increase chemical potential driving forces. Semi-empirical equations derived to describe this exponential relationship. To underpin increasing interest practical applications gas hydrates, for storage separation instance, hydrates at liquid-gas interfaces are fundamental importance. Although thermodynamics has been widely studied is well understood, kinetics these processes not characterised. In work, a high-pressure, low-temperature stirred reactor was used conduct kinetic studies temperature range from 276.5 283.5 K pressure 5 10.5 MPa, special focus 1) impact agitation conditions available water-gas interfacial surface area mass transfer rate during formation, 2) effect force rate. identified, varying degrees control across gas-water interface depending extent which layers built up interface, needed move through solid layers, entrained within water phase. initial linear regime, before onset effects, found depend an essentially manner difference equilibrium state. models related Arrhenius-type correlate data, best reproduced differences ± 5%. approach general applicability help determine balance between thermodynamic factors identifying optimum pressure-temperature storage, other applications.