Effects of Surfactant on SF6 Gas Hydrate Formation Rate

Abstract

[ <TEX>$SF_6$</TEX> ] gas has been widely used as an insulating, cleaning and covering gas due to its outstanding insulating feature and because of its inert properties. However, the global warming potential of <TEX>$SF_6$</TEX> gas is extremely high relative to typical global warming gases such as <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>, CFCs, and <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX>. For these reasons, it is necessary to separate and collect waste <TEX>$SF_6$</TEX> gas. In this study, the effects of a surfactant (Tween) on the formation rate of <TEX>$SF_6$</TEX> gas hydrates were investigated. The <TEX>$SF_6$</TEX> gas hydrate formation rate increased with the addition of Tween and showed a nearly 6.5 times faster hydrate formation rate with an addition of 0.2 wt.% Tween compared to an addition of pure water. This is believed to be due to the increased solubility of <TEX>$SF_6$</TEX> gas with the addition of the surfactant. It was also found that <TEX>$SF_6$</TEX> gas hydrate in the surfactant solution showed two-stage hydrate formation rates with a formation rate that increased rapidly in the 2nd stage.