Experimental investigation of sodium surfactin as potential methane-water hydrate formation inhibitor
type: CreativeWork
description: The leading technologies employed in gas processing operations, including gas pipeline transport, are generally chemical based technologies. Chemical based substances are widely used as surfactants in these operations, including hydrate formation prevention and control. Surfactants usage in oil and gas processes stem from their tensioactive capabilities. However, dosage and environmental compatibility continue to be an issue arising from the use of these chemical surfactants. More so, chemical surfactants are being used as hydrate formation inhibitors. This is because, the effect of pipe plugging (due to hydrate formation) could be devastating as it may lead to the eventual shut down of operation. Besides, economics of unplugging and maintenance is a huge burden to the industry. Biosurfactants, on the other hand, are low-dosage and environmentally friendly surfactants. Their application was tested and therefore has been established to serve as alternative to conventional chemical surfactants in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). However, the application of biosurfactants in multiphase methane/water system under field operating conditions has not been duly investigated and reported. Thus, this provided the primary motivation for this study.In view of the above, this novel research study experimentally investigated the potential of sodium surfactin as methane-water hydrate formation inhibitor. The investigation was conducted in three (3) phases using sodium surfactin. Evaluation was made considering surfactant’s macro size (dosage) and its interaction in the solution, temperature stability and salinity tolerance. Parameters that were employed for the experimental investigation were: temperature in the range of 1 to 50 oC, surfactant dosages of 0.025 to 1 % and 0.1 to 1.5 M saline (NaCl) concentration.Phase I of the study investigated the physicochemical (density, pH, electrical conductivity, functional group) and thermal characteristics of surfactin. The results revealed th…
abstract: The leading technologies employed in gas processing operations, including gas pipeline transport, are generally chemical based technologies. Chemical based substances are widely used as surfactants in these operations, including hydrate formation prevention and control. Surfactants usage in oil and gas processes stem from their tensioactive capabilities. However, dosage and environmental compatibility continue to be an issue arising from the use of these chemical surfactants. More so, chemical surfactants are being used as hydrate formation inhibitors. This is because, the effect of pipe plugging (due to hydrate formation) could be devastating as it may lead to the eventual shut down of operation. Besides, economics of unplugging and maintenance is a huge burden to the industry. Biosurfactants, on the other hand, are low-dosage and environmentally friendly surfactants. Their application was tested and therefore has been established to serve as alternative to conventional chemical surfactants in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). However, the application of biosurfactants in multiphase methane/water system under field operating conditions has not been duly investigated and reported. Thus, this provided the primary motivation for this study.In view of the above, this novel research study experimentally investigated the potential of sodium surfactin as methane-water hydrate formation inhibitor. The investigation was conducted in three (3) phases using sodium surfactin. Evaluation was made considering surfactant’s macro size (dosage) and its interaction in the solution, temperature stability and salinity tolerance. Parameters that were employed for the experimental investigation were: temperature in the range of 1 to 50 oC, surfactant dosages of 0.025 to 1 % and 0.1 to 1.5 M saline (NaCl) concentration.Phase I of the study investigated the physicochemical (density, pH, electrical conductivity, functional group) and thermal characteristics of surfactin. The results revealed th…
author: Suleiman, SM
language: en
date published: 2020
date modified: 2026-07-24T04:26:17Z
provider: U. of Salford
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: U. of Salford