Permeation Characteristics of CH4 in PVDF with Crude Oil-Containing

The liner of reinforced thermoplastic composite pipes (RTPs) used for oil and gas gathering and transportation experienced blister failure due to gas permeation. Few reports have appeared on the problem of gas permeation in thermoplastics with absorbed crude oil. Accordingly, the permeability of CH4 in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) containing crude oil was studied at the normal service conditions by molecular simulations. The results showed that the solubility coefficients of CH4 in PVDF containing crude oil were much lower than those in pure PVDF. It can be concluded that the crude oil molecules absorbed into PVDF occupied certain adsorption sites, resulting in a decrease in the adsorption capacity of CH4 molecules in PVDF. The diffusion coefficients of CH4 in oil-containing PVDF were significantly greater than in PVDF. This is because the absorption of oil molecules leads to the volume swelling of PVDF and then increases the free volume for diffusion. The permeation process showed that CH4 molecules were selective-aggregate adsorbed in the region with low potential energy in oil-containing PVDF firstly, and then they vibrated within the holes of PVDF containing oil in most cases and jumped into the neighboring holes at high temperatures and pressures.

Automated summary

This study investigates the permeability of CH4 gas in PVDF pipes containing crude oil. The results show that CH4 solubility in oil-containing PVDF is lower and diffusion coefficient is higher compared to pure PVDF. This research reveals the mechanism of oil and gas permeation, providing theoretical basis for pipeline design and application.