(330d) A New Approach for Gas Hydrates Transportability under Multiphase Flow

This contribution focus on the coupling of gas hydrate formation under multiphase flow encountered in oil and gas production. Our new approach considers the interaction between the hydrate porous structure and the oil continuous phase. Such interaction is herein called ‘the sponge approach’, where capillary filling-up with time is considered as the mass transfer limitation process. The filling-up process competes with water displacement from the sponge due to capillarity forces. In the case of high oil-water interfacial tensions or small wetted angles in the water-oil-hydrate interface, capillarity forces are higher and water tends to accumulate around the outer surface of the particle. The particle then becomes wet, enhancing agglomeration due to the possibility of crystalline bridge construction after the collision of two particles. The use of Anti-Agglomerants (A-A), which often exhibit surfactant activity, reduces both interfacial tension and wetted angles. Therefore, the kinetic model proves to be consistent in explaining the mechanisms of anti-agglomeration. This model gives new insight into the physical-chemical interactions that are coupled with shear forces under multiphase flow, resulting in a more comprehensive and robust engineering tool for hydrate management.