Study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurry

Objective Hydrate slurry transportation offers an effective way to save on reagent costs and is expected to be utilized as a safe, economical, and efficient mode for transporting natural gas through submarine pipelines. Current research is primarily focused on experimental studies related to hydrate...

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Main Authors: Zhenqiang XIE, Qingping LI, Shuo YANG, Haiyuan YAO, Rui QIN
Format: Article
Language:zho
Published: Editorial Office of Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation 2024-11-01
Series:You-qi chuyun
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Online Access:https://yqcy.pipechina.com.cn/cn/article/doi/10.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2024.11.009
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author Zhenqiang XIE
Qingping LI
Shuo YANG
Haiyuan YAO
Rui QIN
author_facet Zhenqiang XIE
Qingping LI
Shuo YANG
Haiyuan YAO
Rui QIN
author_sort Zhenqiang XIE
collection DOAJ
description Objective Hydrate slurry transportation offers an effective way to save on reagent costs and is expected to be utilized as a safe, economical, and efficient mode for transporting natural gas through submarine pipelines. Current research is primarily focused on experimental studies related to hydrate formation in defined shapes and the rheological properties of hydrate slurry. Conversely, there have been few studies conducted on the spontaneous crystallization of hydrate slurry and crystallization under flow shear. Nonetheless, crystallization is one of the key factors influencing the rheological properties of hydrate slurry. Studying the crystal growth of hydrates in slurry aids in analyzing and predicting flow conditions within submarine pipelines, which is essential for ensuring the safe flow through these pipelines. Methods First, the theoretical analysis of the spontaneous crystallization process of tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrates was conducted, and the results were subsequently verified through a polarizing microscopy experiment. Following this, a high-precision rheometer was employed to investigate variations in crystal growth characteristics under dynamic shearing, alongside exploring the impact of shear rates, cooling rates, and other factors on the rheological properties of hydrate slurry. Results The static in-situ THF hydrates exhibited growth into rod-shaped crystals, with axial growth rates surpassing radial growth rates. The shear effect induced higher quantities of THF hydrate crystallization, leading to reduced single crystal sizes and a transition in shape from rods to blocks. The viscosity of the slurry showcased an exponential decrease with increasing shear rates, initially rising sharply before stabilizing as the cooling rates of the flow system increased, and surging with higher THF mass fractions. Conclusion The smaller interfacial energy and greater temperature gradient at the ends of rod-shaped crystals of THF hydrates enhance axial growth. On the contrary, shear effects contribute significantly to altering intercrystalline orientations, leading to the transformation of rod-shaped crystal clusters into blocky crystals. These findings can serve as valuable references for future studies focusing on hydrate formation in flow systems and hydrate slurry transportation.
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spelling doaj-art-6d2aae1ef1e74f19a49c0b97b721f4e62025-08-20T03:48:51ZzhoEditorial Office of Oil & Gas Storage and TransportationYou-qi chuyun1000-82412024-11-0143111277128410.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2024.11.009yqcy-43-11-1277Study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurryZhenqiang XIE0Qingping LI1Shuo YANG2Haiyuan YAO3Rui QIN4CNOOC Research Institute Co. Ltd. //National Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Gas HydrateCNOOC Research Institute Co. Ltd. //National Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Gas HydrateCNOOC Bohai Experimental CenterCNOOC Research Institute Co. Ltd. //National Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Gas HydrateCNOOC Research Institute Co. Ltd. //National Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Gas HydrateObjective Hydrate slurry transportation offers an effective way to save on reagent costs and is expected to be utilized as a safe, economical, and efficient mode for transporting natural gas through submarine pipelines. Current research is primarily focused on experimental studies related to hydrate formation in defined shapes and the rheological properties of hydrate slurry. Conversely, there have been few studies conducted on the spontaneous crystallization of hydrate slurry and crystallization under flow shear. Nonetheless, crystallization is one of the key factors influencing the rheological properties of hydrate slurry. Studying the crystal growth of hydrates in slurry aids in analyzing and predicting flow conditions within submarine pipelines, which is essential for ensuring the safe flow through these pipelines. Methods First, the theoretical analysis of the spontaneous crystallization process of tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrates was conducted, and the results were subsequently verified through a polarizing microscopy experiment. Following this, a high-precision rheometer was employed to investigate variations in crystal growth characteristics under dynamic shearing, alongside exploring the impact of shear rates, cooling rates, and other factors on the rheological properties of hydrate slurry. Results The static in-situ THF hydrates exhibited growth into rod-shaped crystals, with axial growth rates surpassing radial growth rates. The shear effect induced higher quantities of THF hydrate crystallization, leading to reduced single crystal sizes and a transition in shape from rods to blocks. The viscosity of the slurry showcased an exponential decrease with increasing shear rates, initially rising sharply before stabilizing as the cooling rates of the flow system increased, and surging with higher THF mass fractions. Conclusion The smaller interfacial energy and greater temperature gradient at the ends of rod-shaped crystals of THF hydrates enhance axial growth. On the contrary, shear effects contribute significantly to altering intercrystalline orientations, leading to the transformation of rod-shaped crystal clusters into blocky crystals. These findings can serve as valuable references for future studies focusing on hydrate formation in flow systems and hydrate slurry transportation.https://yqcy.pipechina.com.cn/cn/article/doi/10.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2024.11.009submarine pipelinetetrahydrofuran(thf)hydratepolarizing microscopycrystal growthslurryviscosity
spellingShingle Zhenqiang XIE
Qingping LI
Shuo YANG
Haiyuan YAO
Rui QIN
Study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurry
You-qi chuyun
submarine pipeline
tetrahydrofuran(thf)hydrate
polarizing microscopy
crystal growth
slurry
viscosity
title Study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurry
title_full Study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurry
title_fullStr Study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurry
title_full_unstemmed Study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurry
title_short Study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurry
title_sort study on crystallization of tetrahydrofuran hydrate and rheological properties of its slurry
topic submarine pipeline
tetrahydrofuran(thf)hydrate
polarizing microscopy
crystal growth
slurry
viscosity
url https://yqcy.pipechina.com.cn/cn/article/doi/10.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2024.11.009
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AT shuoyang studyoncrystallizationoftetrahydrofuranhydrateandrheologicalpropertiesofitsslurry
AT haiyuanyao studyoncrystallizationoftetrahydrofuranhydrateandrheologicalpropertiesofitsslurry
AT ruiqin studyoncrystallizationoftetrahydrofuranhydrateandrheologicalpropertiesofitsslurry