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Studying Surfactant Effects on Hydrate Crystallization at Oil-Water Interfaces Using a Low-Cost Integrated Modular Peltier Device
Published on: March 18, 2020
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Studying Surfactant Effects on Hydrate Crystallization at Oil-Water Interfaces Using a Low-Cost Integrated Modular
Hoi Yan Ko1, Kevin Dann1, Liat Rosenfeld2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, San José State University.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|April 7, 2020
Summary
Nonionic surfactants influence hydrate formation by altering crystal shape. High concentrations promote conical crystals, which are more effective hydrate inhibitors due to limited growth, enhancing safety in gas hydrate applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Hydrate formation poses challenges in oil and gas industries.
- Nonionic surfactants are explored for hydrate inhibition.
- Understanding surfactant-induced crystallization is crucial for mitigation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hydrate formation and growth influenced by nonionic surfactants.
- To characterize the morphology of hydrate crystals under varying surfactant concentrations.
- To evaluate the hydrate-inhibiting efficiency of different nonionic surfactants.
Main Methods:
- Development of a low-cost, programmable temperature control system using Peltier components.
- Integration of visualization techniques and internal pressure measurements for real-time monitoring.
- Systematic study of hydrate crystallization in the presence of sorbitane monolaurate, sorbitane monooleate, PEG-PPG-PEG, and polyoxyethylenesorbitan tristearate at various concentrations (0.1 CMC, CMC, 10 CMC).
Main Results:
- Two distinct hydrate crystal morphologies were observed: planar and conical.
- Planar crystals formed in pure water and low surfactant concentrations.
- Conical crystals formed at high surfactant concentrations (10 CMC) and demonstrated superior hydrate inhibition.
- Conical crystal growth is self-limiting, leading to slower hydrate growth rates compared to planar crystals.
Conclusions:
- Nonionic surfactants can effectively inhibit hydrate formation by inducing conical crystal growth.
- Surfactants promoting conical crystal formation are highly efficient inhibitors.
- The described experimental system provides a robust platform for studying surfactant-mediated hydrate crystallization.
