Effects of waxes on hydrate behaviors in water-in-oil emulsions containing asphaltenes

Abstract

In this study, the effects of waxes on carbon dioxide hydrate formation and dissociation in asphaltene-containing emulsions were systematically investigated using a high-pressure stirred autoclave equipped with an on-line viscometer. The results showed that the presence of waxes strengthened the inhibiting effect of asphaltenes on hydrate formation. Specifically, the induction time increased and the amount of formed hydrates decreased with increasing wax content in water-in-oil emulsion containing asphaltenes. The results indicated that waxes increased the viscosity of emulsions. It was observed that wax crystals dispersed in the bulk phase and got adsorbed at water–oil interface through the synergistic effect with asphaltenes. Furthermore, waxes inhibited the dissociation of hydrates in these emulsions. Both the gas emission rate and the average rate of hydrate dissociation decreased with an increase in wax content. The possible mechanisms were proposed to illustrate the effects of waxes on hydrate formation and dissociation in asphaltene-containing water-in-oil emulsions.