Laboratory Reactor for Visual Examination of Formation/Decomposition of Gas Hydrates in Water-Oil Systems

Design of an installation for studying the formation and decomposition of gas hydrates in water-oil systems via visual examination and video recording under magnifications of up to 50 and some results obtained by using this installation are reported. Information is presented about the growth rates of hydrate films at water-oil interfaces, specific morphological features of hydrate crystals formed in the process and agglomerates of these, and changes in the hydrate formations in the course of time. This method is direct and the most informative way to examine processes occurring in systems of this kind. The results obtained can be used to control the hydrate formation in bores of oil-producing wells and infield pipelines.