The effects of SDS, SLES and THF on the growth rate, kinetic behaviors and energy consumption during ethylene hydrate formation process

• Published in: Journal of molecular liquids 2019-11, Vol.294, p.111608, Article 111608
• Main Authors: Al-Sowadi, Ali, Roosta, Hadi, Dashti, Ali, Pakzad, S. Arash, Ghasemian, Reza, Rajaei, Mehdi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy saving; Ethylene; Gas hydrate; Kinetics; Surfactant; Water molecules
• ISSN: 0167-7322; 1873-3166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.111608

In this study, the kinetics of hydrate formation in ethylene-water and ethylene-THF-water systems with or without SDS and SLES was investigated and analyzed. The effects of these surfactants were tested in the concentration range of 250–1000ppm. The experimental results indicated that SLES can be introduced as a new promoter of ethylene hydrate formation. The experiments with the surfactants also led to an interesting result in relation to unconventional behavior of the hydrate formation kinetics. The kinetic behavior of hydrate formation was also examined and analyzed in ethylene-THF-water system. The results demonstrated that THF plays a crucial role in the enclathration rate of the ethylene molecules in the large cages of the hydrate structure. In this regard, the concentrations of 1 and 2mol% THF, had the best performance to promote ethylene hydrate formation kinetics. Also, the energy consumption measurements showed that the use of SDS, SLES and THF (at the concentrations of 1 and 2mol%) can increase the potential of ethylene hydrate in some practical application fields, due to energy saving and the increase of hydrate formation rate. •First investigations were conducted about the effects of SLES on the kinetics of ethylene hydrate formation.•Kinetic behaviors of hydrate formation in ethylene-water and ethylene-THF-water systems were studied.•Influences of THF aqueous solutions on the enclathration rate of ethylene in hydrate structure were examined.•Probable mechanisms were suggested for the promotion effect of the surfactants and THF on the growth of ethylene hydrate.•The energy consumption during ethylene hydrate formation with or without surfactants was measured.