Interfacial Adhesion Forces of Hydrate Particles in the Presence of Hydrate Inhibitors

Hydrate inhibitors are traditionally utilized to prevent hydrate plugging. In this study, the adhesion forces of cyclopentane (CP) hydrates with thermodynamic inhibitors (ethanol, urea, and NaCl) and anti-agglomerant inhibitors [sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) and lecithin] were measured to understand the effects of hydrate inhibitors on the adhesion forces of hydrates. It was found that the thermodynamic inhibitors increased the early hydrate interparticle adhesion force due to the enhanced liquid bridge force. However, the liquid bridge acted as a lubricant layer to prevent the irreversible agglomeration of hydrate after long-term contact. The hydrate adhesion forces decreased by 90.5-93.0% and 76.6-92.7% with an increase in the concentration of Span 80 and lecithin, respectively, from 0.1 to 1 wt %. Both rough morphology and low interfacial tension contributed to the adhesion force decrease of hydrate after the addition of anti-agglomerant inhibitors. The results may be helpful for understanding the mechanism of influence and quantifying the impact of hydrate inhibitors on hydrate interparticle adhesion force.