EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY OF HYDRATE CRYSTAL-GROWTH FROM METHANE, CARBON-DIOXIDE, AND METHANE PLUS PROPANE MIXTURES

Gas hydrates are crystalline, icelike solids formed from water contact ed with certain light hydrocarbons and other low-molecular-weight, non polar substances under high pressure and low temperature. In this stud y, methane-propane mixture hydrates were made at various conditions. T he reaction rates were experimentally measured at each condition. Stru cture II-type hydrates were formed up to 7580 kPa at around 280 degree s K from methane containing 3% and 5% propane. The reaction rates for forming hydrates were proportional to the pressure difference between the system pressure and the dissociation pressure. The kinetic model w as developed.