BENZENE CAN FORM GAS HYDRATES

Benzene has only recently been recognised as a potential gas hydrate f ormer by considering its van der Waals' diameter. The formation of ben zene hydrates and its modelling are reported for the first time in thi s communication. Dissociation pressures of methane/benzene gas hydrate s have been measured at four different feed compositions over a temper ature range of 275-288 K. Four phase (L1-L2-H-V) equilibrium calculati ons have been used for modelling hydrate dissociation pressure. The Va lderrama modification of Patel and Teja equation of state (VPT EoS) wi th a non-density dependent mixing rule is adapted for all fluid phases , with benzene-water BIPs (Binary Interaction Parameters) from matchin g the mutual solubility of benzene and water at atmospheric pressure. The hydrate phase is modelled using the ideal solid solution theory, w ith the Kihara parameters for benzene optimised by matching two sets o f methane/benzene experimental dissociation pressure data. The other t wo sets of data were used for validation of the model and very good ag reement with experimental data is demonstrated.