INDUCTION PHENOMENA IN GAS HYDRATE NUCLEATION

The induction phenomena in hydrate nucleation have been investigated e xperimentally and the induction period data are reported for methane, ethane and carbon dioxide hydrates. Based on crystallization considera tions, the metastable region for hydrate nucleation is discussed and t he driving force for hydrate nucleation is defined. The induction peri od data for the various hydrates from a total of 93 hydrate formation runs were modelled as a function of the nucleation driving force.