Investigation of kinetics of methane hydrate formation during isobaric and isochoric processes in an agitated reactor

In this paper, the mass transfer phenomenon during hydrate formation from methane is explained. It is demonstrated that during the hydrate formation of methane, the mass transfer in the liquid side of the contact area of gas–liquid controls the gas consumption. Two types of experiments (isochoric and isobaric) have been conducted in a stirred vessel to indicate that the gas uptake rate is independent of the number of hydrate particles and their total area. Data shows that the mass transfer coefficient is a function of pressure and temperatures.

► Mass transfer of methane during hydrate formation is fully explained.
► It is shown that the mass transfer is the rate-dominating during hydrate formation.
► Isochoric and isobaric experiments have been conducted for methane.
► Results show that both approaches give nearly the same results.
► Mass transfer coefficients at four temperatures are given.