Hydrate Formation in Pickering Emulsions in Flowing Conditions

In the current study, cyclopentane hydrates are studied in model oil systems. Experiments are performed using a 1 inch flow loop. The process tubing is jacketed to facilitate the flow of a temperature control fluid in the annulus between the jacket and the process tube in order to control the temperature. The temperature range of the flow loop can be controlled in the range from -30°C to 125°C using a re-circulating chiller. Fluid is circulated through the loop using a progressive cavity pump that can pump fluid up to 20 gpm at pressures up to 150 psig. An in-flow microscope is utilized to visualize the flow behavior of concentrated solid stabilized emulsions during hydrate formation. Pressure drop measurements will complement the in-flow microscopy measurements in order to provide a comprehensive assessment of hydrate formation and deposition in these systems. The primary objective of this work is to quantify hydrate formation and deposition behavior in solid-stabilized emulsions under flowing conditions.