A kinetic study of methane hydrate formation in the presence of ionic liquids and poly(N-vinyl caprolactam)

Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline compounds that are commonly formed in pipelines. Gas hydrate formation blocks pipelines and damages equipment. One of the efficient prevention and control methods is using dual-functional inhibitors. Recently ionic liquids have been introduced as dual-functional hydrate inhibitors. Methane hydrate formation kinetics were investigated in the presence of ionic liquids and PVCap. Besides, induction time was calculated in presence of various concentrations of different ionic liquids. For this purpose, the van der Waals-Platteeuw theory, the Peng-Robinson equation of state, and the NRTL activity model were used to describe the chemical potential of the hydrate phase, to elaborate on methane fugacity in the vapor phase, and to predict water activity in the liquid phase respectively. The results were compared with experimental data and a good agreement between correlated and experimental data was observed.