PREDICTION OF GAS HYDRATE FORMATION CONDITIONS IN AQUEOUS-ELECTROLYTE SOLUTIONS

A computer implementable methodology is developed for the prediction of hydrate formation conditions in systems containing light hydrocarbon gases and aqueous solutions of single or mixed electrolytes. No adjustable parameters are needed in addition to those for the thermodynamic model for predictions from pure water and for the activity coefficient models for the salts in aqueous solutions, which are available from the literature. Based on experimental data, it is concluded that the proposed methodology provides a valuable tool for the investigation of the gas hydrate formation conditions in environments such as sea or ground water. In addition, it can facilitate feasibility studies for water desalination, gas storage via gas hydrate formation, and natural gas recovery.