Experimental investigation on the microprocess of hydrate particle agglomeration using a high-speed camera

To investigate the microprocess of hydrate particle agglomeration, a high-pressure visual cell was used for repeated experiments of hydrate particle formation and flow from methane + water systems at an experimental temperature of 275.15 K, an initial pressure of 6 MPa and a rotation rate of 200 rpm. During the experiments, a high-speed camera was used to capture the micromorphologies and micro flow behavior of hydrate particles. Based on the experimental data obtained by the high-speed camera, three types of micromorphologies were identified for hydrate particles. Then, the variation in the average diameter of hydrate particles and the characteristics of hydrate particle size distribution were investigated by calculating the equivalent projection area diameter of hydrate particles. During the experiments, particle collision, particle agglomeration and particle breakage were the three main micro flow behaviors of hydrate particles captured by the high-speed camera. The whole process of hydrate agglomeration under flow conditions was also captured by the high-speed camera. Finally, according to the variation in the average diameter of hydrate particles and the micro flow behavior of hydrate particles, a physical model for the whole process of hydrate particle agglomeration was established.