Dynamic visualization of hydrate formation using X-ray imaging

Abstract

Hydrate plug formation remains a common issue in off-shore oil extraction. These plugs usually form within low temperature, high pressure environments over a short timeframe. It is desirable to visualize and quantify hydrate formation, where the results can later be used to validate formation models. This study presents preliminary findings from the use of X-ray imaging to capture temporal images of the hydrate formation process using cyclopentane, which forms a structure II hydrate, similar to that formed in oil extraction. A hydrate region was formed within a mixing chamber, and the formation process was captured using both X-ray radiography and X-ray computed tomography (CT). Image processing procedures were developed to extract qualitative and quantitative measures of hydrate formation. Formation trends correlated to the recorded time-temperature histories within the mixing tank. Additionally, formation growth patterns were qualitatively consistent across multiple trials. Quantitative analysis, however, remained difficult due to slight variations in X-ray intensity and temperature histories that resulted in significant differences in the measured hydrate region.