(216t) Difference in Adsorption Behaviors of SDS and Gemini-Surfactants Onto Clathrate Hydrates

Clathrate hydrates are non-stoichiometric whitish, ice-like crystalline compound formed when water molecules form cages that trap low molecular weight molecules. It has been estimated that the amount of natural gas trapped in discovered natural gas hydrate deposits is 1.5 x 10¹⁶ m³ . This makes natural gas hydrates a potentially viable energy resource. Natural gas can be stored in hydrate form; up to 170 volumes of natural gas per volume of hydrates. Other potential usages of clathrate hydrates are for separation of flue gases and desalination of seawater. There are negative aspects to clathrate hydrates as they can form in oil and gas pipelines which can result into the disruption of oil production. Understanding the kinetics of clathrate hydrate formation is important for the utilization of clathrate hydrate technologies in gas storage and separation or for the prevention of hydrate plugs.  Sodium dodecyl sulfate is one of the most effective hydrate formation promoters. This work proposes other alternative surfactants, Dow Gemini surfactants that have comparable performance to SDS.   We report the difference adsorption behaviors of SDS and two Gemini surfactants of C6L and 2AI at Cyclopentane (CP) hydrate-water interface. The adsorption of these surfactants was quantified using adsorption isotherms and the adsorption isotherms were generated using liquid-liquid titration. Zeta potentials of CP hydrate particles in surfactant solution of various concentrations of surfactants were measured to further explain the different adsorption behaviors at the CP hydrate-water interface. We will also propose the adsorption mechanisms.