Thermodynamic modeling of hydrate dissociation conditions for refrigerants R-134a, R-141b and R-152a

In this communication, a general model is presented for estimating hydrate dissociation conditions for refrigerants R-134a, R-141b and R-152a which employs the cubic plus association equation of state (CPA EoS) for modeling the fluid phases and van der Waals –Platteeuw statistical model for the hydrate phase. The Kihara potential parameters for the latter refrigerants are estimated by employing an implicit optimization scheme using minimization of the chemical potential difference of water in the hydrate and in the liquid phase. The minimization was performed by applying genetic algorithm. Using this model, the agreement between the experimental data and the model results is found acceptable.

► A model is presented to predict phase equilibria of hydrates of refrigerants. ► The investigated hydrate formers include R-134a, R-141b and R-152a. ► The CPA EoS is applied for modeling the fluid phases. ► The vdW-P solid solution model is used for modeling the hydrate phase. ► Acceptable agreement is found between the results and the experimental data.