An insight on effects of activated carbon and a co-promoter on carbon dioxide hydrate formation and dissociation

Abstract

The influence of activated carbon (AC) particle size on the formation and dissociation of CO2 hydrates was investigated. ACs with different particle sizes (250–420 µm; 420–841 µm; larger than 841 µm) were employed in the hydrate formation experiment at 276.2 K and 3.6 MPa in the quiescent condition. The result showed that the large AC particle size was more effective on promoting CO2 hydrate formation with shorter induction time, higher gas uptake, and higher formation rate. The study continued to investigate the effects of AC saturated with the solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the CO2 hydrate formation. It was observed that the addition of 2 mM and 4 mM SDS increased the gas uptake compared with that of AC, while the addition of 6 mM SDS did not. The synergistic effect of SDS and AC was discussed. Moreover, the observed morphology during the hydrate formation and dissociation was provided.