(403d) Solid Nanoparticles As Hydrate Inhibitors

Clathrate hydrates are non-stoichiometric, ice-like crystalline solids that can lead to plugging of crude oil pipelines. A large amount of money is spent by the petroleum industries to mitigate hydrate formation. In an oil-dominated system, emulsion stability is an important criterion for hydrate risk management. The extent to which the emulsion droplets remain segregated during hydrate formation/dissociation determines the level of hydrate plug formation. We have investigated the potential of solid nanoparticles of different wettabilities to potentially mitigate hydrate formation in surfactant stabilized water-in-oil emulsions. The primary objective is to elucidate the change in interfacial properties of surfactant stabilized water-in-oil emulsions upon addition of solid particles of different wettabilities and the resulting consequences on hydrate formation and flow behavior.

A DHR-3 stress controlled rheometer whose temperature can be controlled between -20°C to 150°C is used to examine the rheological behavior of hydrate forming emulsions. A helical ribbon geometry will be used to study the rheological behavior of hydrates. An Olympus BX53 polarized microscope equipped with a high-speed camera and Linkam shear- and temperature-controlled stage will be used to characterize the droplet size and wax crystals in water-in-emulsions. DSC will be used to characterize the emulsion stability, hydrate formation and wax formation in water-in-oil emulsions. Cyclopentane hydrates are studied in model oil systems using surfactant and silica nanoparticles, which act as stabilizing agents.

The results show that the addition of silica nanoparticles of different wettabilities to a surfactant stabilized emulsion significantly alters the interfacial properties of water-in-oil emulsions, which in turn had a profound effect on hydrate formation and flow behavior of hydrate forming water-in-oil emulsions.