Crystal growth inhibition of tetrahydrofuran hydrate with poly(N-vinyl piperidone) and other poly(N-vinyl lactam) homopolymers

Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) containing the 5-ring lactam and poly(N-vinyl caprolactam) (PVCap) containing the 7-ring lactam are well-known kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs). For the first time we have synthesised and studied the performance of poly(N-vinyl piperidone) (PVPip), containing the 6-ring lactam, as a kinetic hydrate inhibitor. In the first part of the study we have investigated the ability of PVPip to inhibit the growth of tetrahydrofuran SII hydrate crystals. The results are compared to those of PVP and PVCap. Various polymer molecular weights have been investigated at varying subcoolings. PVPip shows an intermediate growth inhibition performance compared to PVP and PVCap at similar polymer molecular weights. In addition, the weight percentage concentration of polymer needed to achieve complete THF hydrate crystal growth inhibition increases as the polymer molecular weight decreases.