Analysing Hydrate Transport Problems – New Solutions From Small Scale Experiments?

A new method for producing a transportable hydrate slurry has been tested in small scale laboratory equipment. The idea is to use robust nucleation seed particles that can follow the flow and be available when hydrate conditions arise so that hydrate preferentially forms on these seeds rather than on the steel wall. Silver iodide and titanium oxide particles have been tested. Both are very effective in speeding up the hydrate formation process. However, the silver iodide particles did form an impractical viscous slurry, while titanium oxide formed free flowing hydrates. Making the steel walls hydrophobic with CO₂-corrosion inhibitor prevented any visual trace of hydrate on the wall.