SF6 Hydrate Formation in Various Reaction Media: A Preliminary Study on Hydrate-Based Greenhouse Gas Separation

SF6 hydrate formation behaviors in various reaction media, such as bulk water, porous silica gel, and hollow silica, were investigated for hydrate-based SF6 separation with a primary focus on thermodynamic stability and formation kinetics. The measured three-phase (H-L-w-V) equilibria demonstrated that the types of reaction media used in this study had no effect on the thermodynamic stability of SF6 hydrates. The dissociation enthalpy (Delta H-d) of SF6 hydrate was measured using a high-pressure micro-differential scanning calorimeter, and it corresponded well with estimates from the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. The unstirred porous silica gel system showed a larger gas uptake and a higher growth rate at the early stage of SF6 hydrate formation. However, the gas uptake and growth rate of SF6 hydrates in stirred bulk water and unstirred hollow silica were significantly increased at a larger temperature driving force or in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The experimental results obtained in this study will be very helpful for a better understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of SF6 hydrate formed in various reaction media and in surfactant-added solution, and are expected to contribute to further development of the hydrate-based SF6 separation process.