Developing a Mathematical Model for Hydrate Formation in a Spray Batch Reactor

Mohammad Kazemeini,Moslem Fattahi,Farideh Freidoonian

doi:10.4236/ampc.2012.24b062

Abstract

The formation of methane hydrate was undertaken in this research. The purpose of this work was to model the methane hydrate formation with a hydrate-water–methane system in a semi-batch reactor under steady–state, isothermal and isobaric conditions. Obtained results were validated with experiments conducted in a semi-batch spray reactor at low temperatures and high pressures. The investigated formation of gas hydrate from pure methane required physical constants of these materials which were determined through experimental data. The experiments hence, the theoretical calculations were conducted with pure methane and carried out in a spray reactor at 273.95K and 8705kPa to determine the actual amount of hydrate formation in such reactor. Ultimately; the comparison of the results generated from the developed mathematical model with those of experimental data of others indicated a very satisfactory agreement obtained.

Highlights

Hydrate are crystalline water-based solids physically resembling ice, in which low molecular weight gas molecules are trapped by water molecules bounded by hydrogen and stabilized due to Van-der-waals forces
The experiments the theoretical calculations were conducted with pure methane and carried out in a spray reactor at 273.95K and 8705kPa to determine the actual amount of hydrate formation in such reactor
The increase in the water injected showed an enhancement in the hydrate formation because as mentioned, the highest volume of hydrate was related to the water species

Summary

Introduction

Hydrate are crystalline water-based solids physically resembling ice, in which low molecular weight (light) gas molecules are trapped by water molecules bounded by hydrogen and stabilized due to Van-der-waals forces. Thermodynamic conditions of hydrate formation are often found in pipelines. It is unfavorable because these crystals might plug the flow line and damage valves and instrumentation. Utilizing hydrate as a storage mean for transportation depends upon the maximum gas storable through hydrate and the hydrate formation rate. Research in this area started at beginning of the 1990s. Gudmundsson and his group at Norwegian University reported results of experimental investigations on production, storage and transportation of gas hydrates [2,3]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion