Comparison of kinetic inhibition of ethylene and methane hydrate formation when PEGs with low and high molecular weights meet common KHIs

摘要

In the current study, the focus was placed on the understanding of kinetic behavior of two common KHIs and PEGs with different molecular weight in ethylene-water system compared with methane-water system. First, the effect of PVP, Luvicap EG, PEG300, and PEG20000 was tested on the induction time and the growth rate of hydrate in ethylene-water system. The experimental results indicated that PVP and Luvicap EG could slow down the growth rate of ethylene hydrate, while PEG300 and PEG20000 were more effective for retarding the nucleation of ethylene hydrate. In addition, for understanding the performance of the KHIs in different systems, their potential as inhibitors in ethylene-water and methane-water systems were compared. The synergistic effects of PEGs were also evaluated in the above-mentioned systems. The results revealed that they are effective synergists, so that PEG20000 can be introduced as a new potent synergist to PVP and Luvicap EG in ethylene-water and methane-water systems.