Influence of Pore Size, Salinity and Gas Composition upon the Hydrate Formation Conditions

An experimental device was set up to study the hydrate formation conditions. Effects of pore size, salinity, and gas composition on the formation and dissociation of hydrates were investigated. The result indicates that the induction time for the formation of hydrates in porous media is shorter than that in pure water. The decrease in pore size, by decreasing the size of glass beads, increases the equilibrium pressure when the salinity and temperature are kept constant. In addition, higher salinity causes higher equilibrium pressure when the pore size and temperature are kept constant. It is found that the effects of pore size and salinity on the hydrate equilibrium are quite different. At lower methane concentration, the hydrate equilibrium is achieved at lower pressure and higher temperature.