What are Gas

Hydrates?
Hydrates are unstable compounds which consist of one or more gas molecules
(CH4, C3H8, CO2, etc.) and water. The composition of hydrates is expressed by the
formula: CnH2n+2mH2O: CH46H2O; C2H67H2O; C3H818H2O. It’s a white
crystalline mass which looks like ice or snow.

The main factors which define conditions for hydrate formation are the pressura
ndtemperature of gas, its composition ,the degree of saturation of the gas with
water vapor.
 Methodology
•High pressure and low temperature,
marine conditions.
•Sufficient amount of water.

Hydrate Formation curve

 Methane hydrate formation conditions:

The temperature and corresponding pressure show the equilibrium

condition.
Hydrate will be formed if any temperature below and any pressure
above equilibrium is taken .
Strength of methane hydrate: It has found that water ice and methane
hydrate have about the same strength at very low temperatures of 180 K
and below. But the hydrate is much stronger than ice at temperatures of
240 K and above.
Conceptual picture of hydrate formation:
 Formation of hydrate during transportation.

Hydrate formation in natural gas pipelines is a complex phenomenon to capture in its

entirety. The sequence of events leading to hydrate formation in gas pipelines involves water
vapor condensation, accumulation of water at lowered sections of the pipeline, and growth of
hydrate particles ultimately blocking the pipeline. The site of pipeline blockage may not be
the same as the hydrate just released from the pipewall along the length may migrate
downstream and deposit at sagging sections of the pipeline to cause the blockage. The
temperature at which gas hydrates are formed is higher than the temperature at which water-
ice forms. The specific pressure/temperature value or PT value depends on the dissolved
salt content in the water and the composition of hydrocarbon-gas.
 Since hydrates of natural gases are unstable chemical compounds, any
deviation from thermodynamic equilibrium leads to their decay. However, if
the thermodynamic equilibrium is maintained, hydrate accumulation in gas
pipeline may remain for a long time. Therefore, for the timely prevention of
hydrate plugs, it is necessary to know the conditions of their occurrence and
to predict the places of their possible accumulations.
Natural gas pipelines always have some moisture content. During the cold
season, the ground temperatures are lower resulting in the temperature drop of
the pipeline content. If the temperature of the gas falls below the saturation
temperature corresponding to the dew point of water, condensation of water
vapors will start. In straighter sections of the pipeline, the condensate starts
to accumulate at the base of the pipe due to gravity. The accumulation may
increase at the base of the sagging/ uphill sections of the pipe. If enough water
is present and the thermodynamic conditions are suitable, hydrate nucleation
processes are initiated.
 The most common places for hydrate formation are:

 fittings at a pressure of about 6.5 MPa and a temperature below 17 ° C;( flow
rate of water decrease)
 strapping before separators
 separators themselves;
 loops – gas pipelines connecting the wells to the field gas collector.
 field gas collector in places of sharp change in gas flow rate.
 end linear cranes.
 Ways to Prevent Hydrate Formation
The following are the thermodynamic ways to prevent the hydrate formation:
1. Maintaining the system temperature above the hydrate formation
temperature by using a heater and/or insulation.( Gas Distribution stations
boyuk teyziq itkisi olanda)
2. Dehydration of the gas to prevent the condensation of a free water phase.
( main pipelines , Interconnected)
3. Injection of thermodynamic inhibitors to suppress the hydrate formation
temperature in the free water phase.
The best way to prevent hydrates is to remove the water from the natural gas before it
enters the pipeline. This is because it will create gas hydrate crystals once the
temperature begins to decline.
There are a few methods for the removal of water at the well site to the extent required
to prevent the formation of natural gas hydrate. A few common ways to remove water
are as follows:
•Wellsite Separation and Methanol Injection
Separating out the free water from the natural gas stream at the wellsite is the most
economical way of preventing hydrates. Its limitation though is that this process only
removes the free water. Methanol will also need to be injected to prevent the saturated
water from forming hydrates.
•Refrigeration or Glycol Dehydrator
Refrigeration or glycol dehydration are the best ways to remove water (both free and
saturated water) from a natural gas stream. Both of these methods involve extensive
equipment processes and are typically used for higher gas flow rates.
Dehydration is often not practical or economically feasible for well-sites, , and
the injection of hydrate inhibitors is an effective method for preventing hydrate
formation.

Methanol (MeOH) and mono ethylene glycol (MEG) are two of the most
widely used

THI in natural gas pipelines, particularly in cold climate facilities (e.g., Canada).
In general, the amount of a hydrate inhibitor is determined based on the predicted
or measured hydrate phase boundary and the operation conditions such as
temperature and pressure, water-cut