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The Effect of Dynamics and Mass Transfer Limitation on the Kinetic Growth Rate of Methane Gas Hydrates

  1. Alamezie Chinedu* School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE

Abstract

Hydrate management aims to prevent impediments to fluid flow in pipes caused by hydrate deposition. To achieve this goal effectively, a comprehensive understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrate formation is essential for predicting their equilibrium conditions, quantifying the amount of deposition, and estimating the associated risk. Hydrate growth studies are a relatively new field, and independent laboratory experiments have shown that hydrate growth is controlled by heat transfer, mass transfer, and its intrinsic kinetic property. At the commencement of growth, the intrinsic kinetics control the growth rate, and this mechanism gradually fades with the inclusion of mass transfer as growth progresses. This phase of transmission from intrinsic kinetic mechanism to mass transfer is not adequately explored in previous literature, and a common diffusivity constant that controls the mass transfer mechanism of gas hydrates is vital. Addressing these issues is crucial for estimating the growth rate of hydrants, which justifies this paper. Experimental data from the published literature were analyzed, and regression analysis was applied to model the behavior of methane gas consumption rates and stirring speeds during hydrate growth. Additionally, we examined how the diffusivity coefficient of methane hydrates depends on system temperature. R-squared values of 97.05% and 70.39% indicate good model fitness. The relationship between flow dynamics and intrinsic kinetics as a driving force is discussed, and threshold speeds in rpm for negligible mass transfer inclusion are presented for further methane hydrate growth studies. This paper seeks to advance the currently available knowledge in hydrate growth studies and, in a broader sense, flow assurance: risk analysis and management.

Keywords

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