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Control of Gas Hydrate Formation Using Surfactant Systems: Underlying Concepts and New Applications
Author(s) -
IRVIN GLEN,
LI SICHU,
SIMMONS BLAKE,
JOHN VIJAY,
McPHERSON GARY,
MAX MICHAEL,
PELLENBARG ROBERT
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06806.x
Subject(s) - hydrate , clathrate hydrate , pulmonary surfactant , micelle , chemistry , chemical engineering , deposition (geology) , crystallite , organic chemistry , aqueous solution , geology , sediment , crystallography , paleontology , biochemistry , engineering
A bstract : We describe some new approaches to the rapid formation of gas hydrates using surfactant systems that form reverse micelles. The thermodynamics of hydrate formation in surfactant containing reverse micellar systems indicate the possibility of controlling hydrate deposition. The use of reverse micellar systems also allows the deposition of hydrates in the form of small crystallites that do not aggregate. Surfactants also appear to displace agglomerated hydrates from surfaces, thereby facilitating flow. Direct injection of water into gas saturated liquid hydrocarbons leads to rapid hydrate formation. On the other hand, water droplets injected into liquid carbon dioxide indicate a gradual conversion to the hydrate form with the initial formation of a hydrate skin. An interesting application of rapid hydrate formation is its use in the restriction of inorganic nanocluster growth.