(31b) Hydrate Formation in Ethylene, Acetylene, and Propylene

Ethylene and propylene are important intermediate chemicals used in the petrochemical industry. Like most small hydrocarbons, these components form gas hydrates. Hydrates are ice-like solids that form at temperatures where a solid phase would not otherwise be expected.

Although both ethylene and propylene are well-known as hydrate formers, there are some unusual aspects of the hydrate formation in these two compounds. It is the purpose of this paper to examine some of these phenomena.

On the other hand, there is minimal information about the hydrate of acetylene. Thus we will be forced to resort to some analogies for a more complete interpretation of the hydrate of acetylene.