Abstract
The problem is analyzed of hydrate formation in the systems of gathering and treating of oil and gas products. The methods are studied for prevention of complications associated with the gas hydrates accumulation in the pipelines and process lines. Attention is focused on the significant material costs to prevent the hydrate formation and ways to reduce them. The necessity of constant laboratory monitoring for reservoir systems at industrial facilities to determine the hydrate formation parameters has been substantiated. The need to improve the method for determining the hydrate formation parameters for complex reservoir systems based on a mixture of hydrate-forming gases has also been proved. The purpose of the work is to improve the research method of reservoir systems immediately at the facilities of products mining and treatment. The peculiarities are analyzed of the method of visual laboratory observation in the study of gas hydrates. During experimental studies, optical effects of image distortion are observed due to the formation of a gas hydrate layer in the form of a film on the interphase surface. The mechanism of their formation, as well as the processes determining them have been substantiated. Based on this effect, a method of fixing the hydrate formation initial stage (beginning of crystal growth – mass crystallization) is proposed. For increasing the informative ability of the obtained images of hydrate formation processes, it is proposed to “paint” them with the help of colored light sources, as well as to regulate the intensity and direction of illumination. A number of photos are presented, which clearly illustrate the processes described in the paper.
Highlights
The unique ability of gases and water under certain thermobaric conditions to form gas hydrates, on the one hand, led to the formation of colossal methane deposits in its composition [1,2,3], and, on the other hand, created a significant problem for the oil and gas industry
As can be seen in the photo (Fig. 4b and 4c), there are practically no other visual signs of the hydrate formation process, except for the distortion of the light reflection of the diodes. This optical effect makes it possible to extremely sensitively record the changes occurring at the microlevel with a mirror-like interphase “gas – liquid” surface
The hydrate formation process at the interphase boundary is manifested by the formation of hydrate thin layer in the form of a film
Summary
The unique ability of gases and water under certain thermobaric conditions to form gas hydrates, on the one hand, led to the formation of colossal methane deposits in its composition [1,2,3], and, on the other hand, created a significant problem for the oil and gas industry. Based on the measurement of the sound velocity and thermal conductivity, the device measures equivalent concentration of gas mixture components [14] Based on this property, an experimental technique has been developed to identify early signs of hydrate crystals formation by determining the gas composition [16]. Tohidi et al [18] have proposed some techniques, such as as hydrates monitoring and warning systems, which are based on freezing point and dielectric properties measurements They used the freezing point decrease of the aqueous phase to estimate the hydrate recovery temperature of reservoir fluids in the presence of salts and inhibitors using a simple equation. The improvement of the technique for operational predicting of hydrate formation in the systems of gathering and treatment of industrial products, as well as the schematic diagram of the equipment for its implementation is relevant
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have