Experimental study on effect of electric field on hydrate nucleation in supercooled tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide aqueous solution

The effect of an electric field on hydrate nucleation in supercooled tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) aqueous solution was investigated experimentally. Experiments were carried out by charging electrodes inserted into a test tube containing TBAB aqueous solution using a DC voltage. The electrode material (copper, aluminum, nickel, iron and gold), value of applied voltage and sample concentration were varied as the experimental parameter. When the sample was maintained under a supercooled state, the DC voltage was applied directly to the TBAB aqueous solution for 1 min. It was found that the probability of nucleation depends on the electrode material. The probability of nucleation is especially high in the case of the Cu electrode. It was also found that the probability of nucleation of type 2 TBAB hydrate is lower than that of type 1 hydrate under these experimental conditions.

► Effect of electric field on TBAB hydrate nucleation was investigated experimentally.
► Electric field was significant in the generation of the type 1 hydrate.
► Cu electrodes were most effective for nucleation of the TBAB hydrate.
► Effect of electric field on nucleation of hydrates was dependent on type of hydrate.