Installation with a chemical reactor-autoclave
Gas Hydrate Autoclave

  • The specialized Gas Hydrate Autoclaves GHA 200 stand, developed by PSL Systemtechnik, is an installation with a chemical autoclave reactor for studying the effectiveness of kinetic and thermodynamic inhibitors of hydrate formation and anti-agglomerates.

    Application:

    • Study of kinetic and thermodynamic inhibitors;
    • Anti-agglomerate analysis;
    • Optimization of inhibitor concentrations.

    Advantages:

    • Visualization of the experiment: photo and video recording during testing with a resolution of 720p.
    • Modeling of reservoir, well and pipeline conditions close to reality;
    • Possibility of conducting long-term experiments (up to 30 days) without operator intervention;
    • Automated test program;
    • Tabletop compact system;
    • Ease of maintenance and use: does not require special personnel qualifications.
    Solved research problems:
    • Development of methods to combat hydrate formation during production and transportation;
    • Optimization of cash costs when using chemical methods to combat hydrate deposits;
    • Development of programs to increase the overhaul period of field equipment complicated by hydrate plugs;
    • Development and research of hydrate formation inhibitors;
    • Testing anti-agglomerates to reduce the rate of gas hydrate formation.
    Operating principle:

    The sample is transferred to an autoclave (reactor), in which a certain pressure and temperature are set. Using a magnetic stirrer (in the standard case) / anchor stirrer (for samples with high turbulence) installed in the head of the chemical reactor, the sample is mixed. The process is accompanied by a change in parameters P, T and a change in the rotating torque of the mixer. When certain critical conditions (pressure/temperature/turbulence) are reached in the reactor, gas hydrates begin to form in the sample. This process is recorded by the system using high-precision temperature and pressure sensors, as well as a visualization system - cameras located inside the autoclave.

    The progress of the experiment is displayed by an automated hydrate testing program implemented using PSL software. Video and photo shooting is carried out using a borescope with a video camera installed on the head of the chemical reactor.

    There is a function for restoring backup copies of data to avoid loss of information in case of power outages.

    Sapphire glass windows allow the use of borescopes to study the processes occurring in a chemical reactor. Thus, the formation of hydrates is displayed during the experiment in the form of photos and videos. Up to 6 chemical reactors can be operated simultaneously using one PC.

    Shooting photos and videos can take place both manually and automatically. In the event of a power outage, results can be rolled back to an earlier date thanks to the automatic restart feature. The installation is equipped with a quality control system.

    The GasHydrateAutoclaves stand is easy to open and close thanks to a specially designed mechanism. Built-in double casing for temperature control, temperature and pressure sensors and built-in stirrer provide complete control over the experiment. It is possible to conduct experiments lasting over 30 days. A high-quality thermostat system ensures high precision in maintaining temperature during both heating and cooling.

    Sectional view of GHA 350 stand

    Gas Hydrate Autoclaves GHA 350

    The GasHydrateAutoclaveGHA 350 research facility is a modification of the GasHydrateAutoclaveGHA 200 stand, equipped with 3 cameras, thus, compared to the GasHydrateAutoclaveGHA 200, it has 2 additional side chambers, which provides improved visualization of the process:

    • SVGA resolution, automatic brightness adjustment;
    • Advanced video software;
    • Software expansion module for automatic control of camera actions;
    • Image analyses.

    The principle of operation of the installation is identical to the GasHydrateAutoclaveGHA 200. Using cameras, the behavior of hydrates in the liquid phase (side chamber), as well as at the phase boundary (top view chamber and second side chamber) is studied. Gas hydrates are formed predominantly at the phase interface; accordingly, more detailed visualization of the process guarantees more accurate research results.

    Optical systems of the GasHydrateAutoclaves GHA 350 installation:
    • Three sapphire windows, resistant to pressure up to 5,000 psi (34.4 MPa, 344 bar), one window provides a view from above, a second at water level and a third below the surface of the water;
    • Three precise macro baroscopes, optical lens system, manual focusing;
    • Three electronic light sources, dimmable light emitting diode (LED), high power (approx. 150 W each).

    Stand GHA 350

    Difference between GasHydrateAutoclavesGHA 200 and GasHydrateAutoclavesGHA 350 stands:
      GHA 200 GHA 350
    Cameras (number, location) 1 ; above 3 ; 1 on top, 2 on sides
    Permission 1280x1024 px, RGB32 each 1280x1024 px, RGB32
    Pressure up to 200 bar / 2,900 psi up to 350 bar / 5.075 psi
    Torque measurement capability Present, no visualization possible Present, possibility of visualization using 3 cameras
    Experiment results:

    Dependence of pressure on time P(t), dependence of temperature on time T(t) - the difference in pressure and temperature during the experiment serves as an indicator of hydrate formation

    M (rotating torque of the stirrer) allows you to evaluate the change in the viscosity of the sample. A sharp jump in the dependence of the stirrer torque on time reflects the formation of gas hydrates.

    Contents of delivery:
    • GHA200/GHA350 stainless steel stand
    • Magnetic stirrer
    • Pressure meter
    • Temperature sensor Pt100
    • Cryostat
    • Windows PC, monitor
    • Software from PSL
    • Installation materials
    • User guide
    Optional equipment:
    • Boroscope with video camera
    • Display (D-box) for monitoring pressure parameters
    • To measure torque:
    • Agitator with torque sensor
    • Magnetic coupling
    • Various types of stirrers
  • Laboratory equipment Gas Hydrate Autoclave GHA 200 Gas Hydrate Autoclave GHA 350
    Application: To study the effectiveness of kinetic and thermodynamic inhibitors of the formation of gas hydrates and anti-agglomerates
    Temperature: -10 ... +60 °C (+14 ... +140 °F)
    Accuracy: 0.1 °C (0.1 K)
    Pressure: up to 200 bar
    2,900 psi    		 up to 350 bar
    5.075 psi
    Accuracy: 0.5%
    Volume: 450 ml total, 200 ml fluid (recommended)
    Optical means: Macroboroscope, LED display, fiber optic light guide
    Camera: 1x 1280 x 1024 px
    RGB32    		 3x 1280 x 1024 px
    RGB32
    Torque sensor Optional; can be installed instead of a camera Included in delivery
    Measurement scale 0 - 1 Nm
    Accuracy/Resolution 0.1% scale
    Material: Stainless steel (V4A), Viton®
    Energy consumption: Max. 2,200 W
    Energy supply: 230 V~ (115 V~ on request)
    Weight: Approx. 40 kg
    (without PC)    		 Approx. 45 kg 
    (without PC)
    Dimensions: Approx. 50 x 60 x 60 cm
    (without PC)    		 Approx. 60 x 60 x 110 cm
    (without PC)
    • Installation with a chemical reactor-autoclave <br>Gas Hydrate Autoclave
  • Installation with a chemical reactor-autoclave <br>Gas Hydrate Autoclave