Chemical Influence on the Formation, Agglomeration, and Natural Transportability of Gas Hydrates. A Multivariate Component Analysis

Abstract

This study has focused on chemical components in two paraffinic oil phases, expected to have an influence on the properties of gas hydrates regarding formation, agglomeration, and natural transportability. Crude oil, toluene, wax, and naphtenic acids were selected for this purpose. Two paraffinic phases were used; n‐decane and Exxsol D‐80, the latter containing surface active material. The experiments were performed in a sapphire PVT‐cell. The use of experimental design and multivariate data analysis facilitates identification of the important chemical components. Interfacial tension measurements towards de‐ionised water were performed on the paraffinic solutions to gain more information on the interfacial phenomena.

Keywords:

• Gas hydrates
• Agglomeration
• Paraffin
• Formation
• Trasportability

Acknowledgment

Linn Bergflødt would like to acknowledge the Norwegian Research Council (NFR) for a Ph.D. grant. Theoretical and practical assistance from co‐workers at Statoil's research centre and Flucha II is highly appreciated.