Investigation on the kinetics of methane hydrate formation in the presence of methyl ester sulfonate

The kinetics of methane hydrate formation in the presence of methyl ester sulfonate (MES), a bio-based anionic surfactant, was evaluated in an unstirred reactor. MES concentration was varied from 1 mM to 8 mM (0.029 wt% to 0.232 wt%) and its effect on the kinetics of the methane hydrate formation was observed at 277.2 K and 8 MPa. MES drastically improved the kinetics of methane hydrate formation and methane consumption. The increase in the MES concentration dramatically decreased the induction time as well. In addition, the morphology of methane hydrate formation observed with the different MES concentrations was presented. Hydrate nucleation was observed at the gas/liquid interface followed by the hydrate growth in the upward direction into the gas phase and then downward direction into the liquid phase, respectively. Dissociation characteristics and methane recovery were not significantly different for different MES concentrations.