Calorimetric investigation of cyclopentane hydrate formation in an emulsion

► Cyclopentane hydrate formation is studied in a water-in-oil emulsion. ► A calorimetric method is developed to assess the hydrate formation rate. ► The hydrate formation sequence is nucleation, surface growth and radial growth. ► Mechanical stresses during hydrate formation are analyzed. ► The hydrate shell is “hairy” with surfactant, and polycrystalline without.