Experimental study and modeling of the kinetics of refrigerant hydrate formation

• The kinetics of the hydrate formation of three refrigerant blends is studied.
• The refrigerants include three alternative refrigerants R407C, R410A and R507C.
• A kinetic model is developed.
• The induction time, apparent rate constant and the rate of hydrate formation are particularly studied.
• The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the hydrate nucleation rate is investigated.

The purpose of this study was to identify compatible hydrate forming-refrigerants suitable for air-conditioning systems. The main challenge in designing an air conditioning system which utilises refrigerant hydrates as a media for storage of cold energy is the rate of formation and dissociation of the refrigerant hydrates. Hence, in this experimental study the kinetics of hydrate formation of three refrigerant blends, viz. R407C, R410A and R507C have been investigated. The induction time for hydrate formation, apparent rate constant of the hydrate reaction, water to hydrate conversion during hydrate growth, storage capacity, and the rate of hydrate formation of these refrigerants at various pressures and temperatures have been obtained using a kinetic model. The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the hydrate nucleation rate was also investigated.