Phase equilibrium conditions in carbon dioxide + cyclopentane double clathrate hydrate forming system coexisting with sodium chloride aqueous solution

Abstract

The four-phase equilibrium conditions were measured in carbon dioxide + cyclopentane double clathrate hydrate forming systems coexisting with either sodium chloride aqueous solution or pure water as a technological basis for developing seawater desalination technology utilizing clathrate hydrate formation and decomposition. The equilibrated phases included sodium chloride aqueous solution or pure water, carbon dioxide + cyclopentane double clathrate hydrate, liquid cyclopentane, and carbon dioxide gas. The experiments were performed using the batch isochoric procedure. Three different concentrations of sodium chloride in the aqueous solution were tested: 0.035, 0.070, or 0.105 in mass fraction. Pressures ranged from 0.385 MPa to 2.488 MPa. The results were compared with the equilibrium conditions for carbon dioxide and cyclopentane simple clathrate hydrate forming systems. The comparison revealed that the double clathrate hydrate is more thermodynamically stable than the simple clathrate hydrates, under a given sodium chloride concentration in the aqueous solution.