Oil emulsions as medium of natural gas hydrate formation

Results of research into kinetics and a mechanism in water-in-oil emulsions with various contents of the water phase have been given. The study was undertaken with application of the differential scanning calorimetry technique and statistical analysis of drop distribution according to their size prior and post hydrate formation. Rate constants of hydrate formation in emulsions have been identified to be in accordance with system overcooling, not with the ratio of water and oil phases. The anticipated mechanism of formation of natural gas hydrates in emulsions has been shown to depend on their water content and to occur according either to the micro reactor type with formation of weakly stable thinly dispersed hydrates, or the relay type with formation of coalescence of water drops and stable hydrate agglomerates. Effects of the water phase content of emulsions on processes of water drop enlargement have been determined.