Influence of super-absorbent polymer on the growth rate of gas hydrate

The growth rate of hydrate and morphology of methane hydrate formation were studied in a visual pressure cell at 5.5 MPa. The gas hydrate formation was carried out (coal mine methane (CMM) + tetrahydrofuran (THF) + sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) + H2O) with and without SAP. Experimental data on the hydrate growth rate and induction time were obtained for three different CMM samples. The influence of SAP on hydrate growth rate was determined. Results showed that after the addition of SAP, with the methane concentration increased in CMM, the induction time was reduced by 9 min, 10 min and 3 min, and the growth rate was shortened by 0.56 × 10−6/m3 min−1, 0.53 × 10−6/m3 min−1 and 1.42 × 10−6/m3 min−1, respectively. This study could be useful for the recovery of methane from CMM by forming hydrate in the chemical and mining industry.

► The growth rate of hydrate and morphology of methane hydrate formation were studied in a visual pressure cell at 5.5 MPa.
► A new method to promote the mass transfer in hydrate formation.
► The experimental work was concentrated around measuring the growth rate of hydrate in different gas samples with or without SAP.
► Experimental data on the hydrate growth rate and induction time were obtained for three different CMM samples.