(257s) Experimental Measurements of Formation and Dissociation Conditions for H2O + CO2+ Alkane Mixtures in the Hydrate Formation

Since the thirties, hydrates have been an issue for the oil industry when it was observed that they are formed into the pipelines and natural gas lines obstructing the free gas flow. One of the main problems in the oil industry is the formation of hydrates in pipelines and gas pipelines; which are vital to the industry and that through these huge quantities of oil and gas are transported. The study of the conditions to perform hydrates formation condition such as pressure, temperature and volume will help to better understand the phenomenon and thus take appropriate measures to prevent plugging of transportation of oil and gas. In thermodynamic terms, the calculation related to hydrates is focused to the incipient formation pressure prediction, in other words the state which an infinitesimal amount of the hydrate phase is present in the equilibrium with other phases; on the other hand, the hydrate formation temperature calculation is essential if one wishes to avoid the plugging risks that can occur when wet gases are cooled at temperatures below 303 K intentionally or unintentionally. The hydrate dissociation and formation conditions for H₂O+CO₂+octane and  H₂O+CO₂+nonane mixtures have been measured using a modified apparatus designed and built to operate at pressures up to 40 MPa and temperature range of (253-303) K based in the isochoric method. The combined expanded uncertainties of the dissociation conditions measurements were evaluated to be less than 0.04 % in full scale of pressure, 0.020 K in temperature and 0.0002 % mol in composition.