Evaluating a Blend of Amide-Based Polymer and Glycol as Methane Hydrate Inhibitor

Abstract

Pipelines often function in environments characterized by high pressure and low temperatures conditions conducive to hydrate formation. The occurrence of gas hydrate plugs can lead to pipeline blockages, resulting in significant economic losses and posing safety and environmental risks due to potential pipeline failures. In response, the industry is shifting toward low-dosage kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) requiring minimal quantities for effective hydrate inhibition. This study focuses on the synthesis and application of a cyclic amide-based polymer, polyvinyl caprolactam (PVCap), as a kinetic hydrate inhibition. This research also investigates the synergistic interaction between PVCap and monoethylene glycol (EG) where the hydrate inhibition performance of PVCap–EG blends is assessed. The experiments are done in a high pressure autoclave using constant cooling experimental procedure. The results demonstrate that increasing EG concentration in PVCap–EG blends lowers the equilibrium temperature (T_eq), indicating effective hydrate inhibition. Moreover, the addition of EG reduces the hydrate growth rate to gas consumption rate ratio, showing its potential to mitigate hydrate formation.