H–L_w–V Equilibrium Measurements of Pure Methane Gas in the Presence of <scp>d</scp>-(+)-Glucose

Abstract

The three-phase hydrate–liquid–vapor (H–L w –V) equilibrium conditions of the methane clathrate hydrate in aqueous solutions of d -(+)-glucose were experimentally determined. Equilibrium curves were generated via an isothermal pressure-search method for systems containing (10 to 30) wt % glucose at temperatures between (275.15 and 281.25) K and with pressures ranging from (3.4 to 8.0) MPa. Experimental results show that glucose-containing systems exhibit a considerable inhibiting effect on methane hydrate equilibrium conditions, as the phase equilibria conditions for these systems are shifted to higher pressures than those for pure water systems at a given temperature. It was also found that the degree of inhibition increases in relation to the concentration of the glucose additive and that the inhibition of 30 wt % solutions of glucose is superior to low concentrations of methanol and to equal concentrations of magnesium sulfate.