Experimental Investigation of the Formation of Cyclopentane-Methane Hydrate in a Novel and Large-Size Bubble Column Reactor

The effects of the flow rates of cyclopentane (CP) and methane gas, operating pressure, and experimental temperature on the formation of c-yclopentane-methane hydrate were investigated using a novel bubble column reactor. The results indicated that, with either an increase of the operating pressure or a decrease of the experimental temperature, the induction time decreased whereas the cumulative gas consumption and gas conversion ratio increased. In addition, with an increase of the flow rate of methane gas, the induction time decreased, whereas the cumulative gas consumption increased. The gas conversion ratio increased first from 61.5% to 93.1% when the flow rate of methane gas increased from 159 to 234 mL/min and then decreased from 93.1% to 83.2% when the flow rate of methane gas continuously increased from 234 mL/min to 308.9 mL/min. This decrease was attributed to an increase of the discharge rate of methane from the reactor. It was noted the average methane consumption rate could be effectively enhanced with an increase of the flow rate of gas at relatively low pressure and high temperature. The flow rate of CP had a minimal effect on the cumulative gas consumption and gas conversion ratio. However, an increase of the flow rate of CP could reduce the induction time.