Revisited model for inward and outward growth of gas hydrate particles in water-in-oil emulsions

Carlos Lange-Bassani (1, 2, 3, 4) , Ana Cameirão (1, 2, 3, 4) , Herri Jean Michel (1, 2, 3, 4) , Amadeu K. Sum (5, 6) , Rigoberto E. M. Morales (7, 8)

1 Université de Lyon
2 LGF-ENSMSE - Laboratoire Georges Friedel
3 SPIN-ENSMSE - Centre Sciences des Processus Industriels et Naturels
4 PEG-ENSMSE - Département Procédés pour l'Environnement et Géoressources
5 Chemical Biological Engineering Department
6 Hydrates Energy Innovation Laboratory
7 NUEM - Núcleo de Escoamento Multifásico
8 UTFPR - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná [Curitiba, Brasil] = Federal Technological University of Paraná [Curitiba, Brazil] = Université technologique fédérale du Paraná [Curitiba, Brésil]

The correct prediction of the gas hydrate formation rate 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 emulsions. 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, correct coupling between gas absorption by the bulk and gas consumption due to hydrate formation, consideration of the entire particle population for hydrate formation rate, plus minor modeling corrections) 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 due to hydrate formation is validated, though model closure is still an open question.

Mots clés: gas hydrates; particle growth; mass transfer; flow assurance

Domaines: Génie des procédés

Carlos Lange-Bassani, Ana Cameirão, Herri Jean Michel, Amadeu K. Sum, Rigoberto E. M. Morales. Revisited model for inward and outward growth of gas hydrate particles in water-in-oil emulsions. 17th Brazilian Congress of Thermal Sciences and Engineering (ENCIT 2018), FEM-UNICAMP; EESC-USP, Nov 2018, Águas de Lindóia / São Paulo, Brazil. ⟨hal-01950084⟩