DIELECTRIC MEASUREMENTS OF GAS HYDRATE FORMATION IN WATER-IN-OIL EMULSIONS USING OPEN-ENDED COAXIAL PROBES

The formation of gas hydrates in multiphase flow from oil-producing we lls can cause severe problems such as agglomeration and clogging of pi pelines. The formation of gas hydrates in emulsions gives rise to a ch ange in the bulk permittivity, and hence dielectric spectroscopy is a potential technique for the detection of gas hydrates in emulsified sy stems. This paper presents a time domain system for permittivity measu rements of emulsions. The permittivity was calculated by using a simpl e admittance model from reflection measurements from 10 MHz to 10 GHz with two different open-ended coaxial probes. Measurements on liquids with known permittivity were used to verify the sensitivity and reprod ucibility of the measurements, The formation of gas hydrates in a 60% water-in-oil emulsion was also monitored with the dielectric measureme nt system. During the formation of gas hydrates decreases in the relax ation time and the static and high-frequency permittivities were obser ved.