Hydrophobic Particle Effects on Hydrate Crystal Growth at the Water-Oil Interface

This study introduced hydrophobic silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) into an interface of aqueous and hydrate‐forming oil phases and analyzed the inhibition of hydrate crystal growth after seeding the hydrate slurry. The hydrate inhibition performance was quantitatively identified by micro‐differential scanning calorimetry (micro‐DSC) experiments. Through the addition of 1.0 wt % of SiNPs into the water–oil interface, the hydrate crystal growth only occurred around the seeding position of cyclopentane (CP) hydrate slurry, and the growth of hydrate crystals was retarded. Upon a further increase in the SiNP concentration up to 2.0 wt %, the SiNP‐laden interface completely prevented hydrate growth. We observed a hollow conical shape of hydrate crystals with 0.0 and 1.0 wt % of SiNPs, respectively, but the size and shape of the conical crystals was shrunken at 1.0 wt % of silica nanoparticles. However, the conical shape did not appear with an increased nanoparticle concentration of 2 wt %. These findings can provide insight into hydrate inhibition in oil and gas delivery lines, possibly with nanoparticles. Growth management: We introduced silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) into a water–oil interface and analyzed the crystal growth pattern after seeding the cyclopentane hydrate slurry. The growth of hydrate crystals was greatly delayed with a small amount of SiNPs. With a further increase in the SiNP concentration, the SiNP‐laden interface completely prevents further hydrate growth (see figure).