Diffusion-kinetic model of gas hydrate film growth along the gas–water interface

Abstract

An analytic model that describes the kinetics of the process of gas hydrate film growth along the gas–water interface is presented. This model is based on the assumption that this process is controlled only by the mass transfer of gas molecules dissolved in water to the moving front of the gas hydrate film. In the presented model, the driving force of the process of gas hydrate film growth along the gas–water interface is the concentration driving force. The calculated data obtained in the framework of the presented model are compared with the available experimental data on the kinetics of methane hydrate film growth on a planar water surface and on the surface of a methane bubble suspended in water. Moreover, the calculated data obtained in the framework of the presented model are compared with the available experimental data on the kinetics of carbon dioxide hydrate film growth on the surface of a carbon dioxide bubble suspended in water. As a result of this comparison, the dependence of the thickness of carbon dioxide hydrate film on the concentration driving force was determined.