A Growth Model of Gas Hydrates in Water-in-Oil Emulsion Flow
Abstract
The correct prediction of gas hydrate formation is important to estimate pipeline blockage (plugging) in oil and gas production operations. This study presents a revisited model for growth of gas hydrates in water-in-oil emulsion flow. Literature points out that hydrates form as shells around the water droplets. The water core shrinkage rate (inward growth) is related to gas diffusion through the hydrate shell, while water permeation through the hydrate shell is the limiting phenomenon for outward growth. The models of literature are herein corrected (consideration of gas solubility in the hydrate shell, consideration of gas concentration along the shell coupled with gas consumption in the outer surface, coupling between gas absorption by the bulk and gas consumption due to hydrate formation) and extended for considering the crystal integration process in the outer particle surface and the mass transfer between the particle and the bulk. The model is compared to experimental data and the trend of the gas consumption over time due to hydrate formation is validated.
Domains
Chemical and Process EngineeringOrigin | Files produced by the author(s) |
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